THE 

Hand-Book 

OF  THE 

CHAPTER: 

CONTAINING 

MONITORIAL  INSTRUCTIONS 

IN   THE   DEGREES   OF 

MARK    MASTER,    PAST   MASTER,    MOST    EXCELLENT 
M  ASTER,  AND  ROYAL  ARCH  ; 

ADAPTED  TO   THE 

WOKK  AND   LECTUEES 

OF   THE 
GRAND    CHAPTER    OF    CALIFORNIA, 

AS  ADOPTED  SETPEMBER,   1855. 

TOGETHER   WITH    THE 

CEREMONIES  OF  CONSTITUTING  AND  DEDICATING   CHAPTERS 
AND  THE  INSTALLATION  OF  OFFICERS. 


BY    THOMAS    H.    CASWELL, 

GRAND   LECTURER. 


SAN  FRANCISCO  : 
FRANK    EASTMAN    &    CO.,    PRINTERS. 

1878. 


'C3 


IMAHPTON  ACCcv.  . . 
BANCROFT  LIBRARY 


PREFACE. 


The  want  of  a  Monitor  for  the  Chapter  Degrees, 
in  conformity  with  the  Work  and  Lectures  as  prac- 
ticed in  the  jurisdiction  of  California,  has  long  been 
felt ;  and  the  Grand  Chapter,  at  its  last  Annual  Con- 
vocation, wisely  directed  that  one  should  be  prepared. 

The  undersigned,  having  been  charged  with  the  per- 
formance of  that  duty,  has  carefully  avoided  everything 
like  invention,  and  has  endeavored  to  give  a  faithful 
outline  of  the  ritual  as  adopted  by  the  Grand  Chapter 
at  its  Special  Convocation  in  September,  1855  ;  with 
such  extracts  and  illustrations  from  the  best  Masonic 
writers  as  seemed  plainly  to  comport  therewith.  The 
committee  who  submitted  the  work  then  adopted, 
hailed  from  jurisdictions  widely  separated,  and  rep- 
resented systems  of  work  differing  materially  in  every- 
thing save  in  the  essentials  of  the  Royal  Art.  Each 
had  prejudices,  engrafted  by  time,  to  contend  against 
and  to  strive  for ;  but  in  their  conferences  each  rec- 
ognized the  many  excellences  of  the  others.  Prefer- 
ences and  prejudices  were  alike  forgotten ;  and  with 
most  praiseworthy  unanimity  our  present  ritual,  com- 
bining the  beauties  of  all,  was  agreed  upon  and  rec- 
ommended for  adoption.  That  those  eminent  men 
and  Masons,  so  zealous  in  their  labors  and  unselfish 


PREFACE. 


in  their  aims,  may  be, held  in  grateful  remembrance 
by  the  Royal  Craft  of  California,  their  names  are  here 
inserted,  viz.  : 

Comp.  Orange  H.  Dibble,  of  New  York ; 

"       Isaac  Davis,  of  Ohio  ; 

"       Charles  M.  Radcliff,  of  Ohio; 
*tf^  «       Townsend  A.  Thomas,  of  Tennessee  ; 

"  William  H.  Howard,  of  Louisiana. 
The  Hand-Book  is  almost  exclusively,  as  already 
intimated,  a  compilation, — the  publications  of  no  less 
than  four  different  authors  having  been  used  in 
its  preparation,  viz.  :  Moore's  New  Masonic  Trestle- 
Board,  Cross's  Chart,  Mackefs  Book  of  the  Chapter, 
and  Sickles'  Monitor ;  all  of  which  works  it  has  here- 
tofore been  necessary  to  possess  and  study  before 
High  Priests  elect  could  qualify  themselves  for  in- 
stallation. To  obviate  the  confusion  thus  liable  to 
arise,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give,  as  a  connected 
whole,  the  monitorial  portions  of  our  ritual,  this  work 
was  undertaken :  hence  the  absence  of  everything  like 
comment  upon  the  history  or  symbolism  of  either  the 
intermediate  degrees  or  the  Royal  Arch. 

Trusting  that  the  "  Hand-Book "  may  fully  meet 
the  wants  heretofore  existing,  it  is  respectfully  sub- 
mitted for  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  Royal 
Craft  of  California. 

THOMAS    H.    CASWELL. 
November  22,   1878. 


MARK   MASTER. 


In  the  jurisdiction  of  California  a  Lodge 
of  Mark  Master  Masons  is  composed  of  five 
or  more.  The  number  of  officers  necessary 
to  a  proper  conferring  of  the  degree,  is 
nine,  (besides  the  Treasurer,  Secretary,  and 
Tyler,  whose  duties  and  stations  correspond 
with  those  of  the  symbolic  degrees,)  and 
are  as  follows : — 

Right  Worshipful  Master, 

Senior  Warden, 

Junior  Warden, 

Master  of  Ceremonies,* 

Senior  Deacon,* 

Junior  Deacon,* 

Master  Overseer  , 

Senior  Overseer, 

Junior  Overseer. 

These  offices  are  filled  by  the  officers  of 
the  Chapter  in  the  following  order: — 

*  Not  named  in  the  opening  ceremonies. 


O  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

The  High  Priest as Right  Worshipful  Master;  * 

The  King as ... .  Senior  Warden  ;  * 

The  Scribe as .  . .  .Junior  Warden  ; 

The  Captain  of  the  Host as. . .  .Master  of  Ceremonies  ; 

The  Principal  Sojourner as.  . . . Senior  Deacon  ; 

The  Royal  Arch  Captain as .  . .  .Junior  Deacon  ; 

The  Master  of  the  3d  Vail ....  as ... .  Master  Overseer  ; 
The  Master  of  the  2d  Vail ....  as ...  .  Senior  Overseer  ; 
The  Master  of  the  1st  Vail . . . .  as . . .  .Junior  Overseer. 

The  symbolic  color  of  the  Mark  Degree 
is  purple;  but  as  Mark  Lodges  are  always 
held  under  the  warrant  of  a  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  the  collars,  aprons  and  jewels  of 
the  Chapter  are  used  in  conferring  the 
degree. 

A  brother  receiving  this  degree  is  said  to 
be  "  advanced  to  the  honorary  degree  of 
Mark  Master." 

OPENING. 


•* 
•* 


j* 


n  n 


*  In  certain  parts  of  the  Ritual  the  R.  W.  Master  is  styled  M.  E.  King 
Solomon  ;  and  the  Senior  Warden  as  Senior  Grand  Warden. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


CHARGE 

TO  BE  READ  AT  OPENING  THE  LODGE. 

Wherefore,  brethren,  lay  aside  all  malice, 
and  guile,  and  hypocricies,  and  envies,  and 
all  evil  speakings.  If  so  be  ye  have  tasted 
that  the  Lord  is  gracious  ;  to  whom  com- 
ing as  unto  a  living  stone,  disallowed  in- 
deed of  men,  but  chosen  of  God,  and 
precious  ;  ye  also,  as  living  stones,  be  ye 
built  up  a  spiritual  house,  an  holy  priest- 
hood, to  offer  up  sacrifices  acceptable  to 
God. 

Brethren,  this  is  the  will  of  God,  that, 
with  well-doing,  ye  put  to  silence  the 
ignorance  of  foolish  men.  As  free,  and 
not  as  using  your  liberty  for  a  cloak  of 
maliciousness,  but  as  the  servants  of  God. 
Honor  all  men  ;  love  the  Brotherhood  ; 
fear  God.     Amen. 

(Response:  So  mote  it  be. 

The  R.  W.  Master,  after  declaring  "a 
Lodge  of  Mark  Master  Masons  to  be 
duly  opened  in  this  place,  and  in  order 
for  business,"  seats  the  brethren.     He  then 


8 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


states  the  purpose  for  which  the  Lodge  was 
convened,  naming  the  brother  who  is  to  be 
advanced,  and  if  there  are  no  objections,  he 
will  direct  the  Senior  Deacon  to  "  take 
such  assistance  as  may  be  necessary,  and 
repair  to  the  ante-room  ;  take  charge  of 
the  brother,  properly  prepare,  and  introduce 
him." 

RITUAL. 

SECTION  I. 

The  ceremonies  which  follow  strikingly 
illustrate  the  foundation  and  history  of  the 
degree,  and  exemplify  the  method  by  which 
the  idle  and  unworthy  were  detected  and 
punished,  and  display  one  of  the  principal 
events  which  characterizes  this  degree.  A 
variety  of  interesting  circumstances  con- 
nected with  the  building  of  King  Solomon's 
Temple  are  also  detailed,  and  the  marks  of 
distinction  which  were  in  use  among  our 
ancient  brethren  are  explained. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


n  n 

"  Workmen  from  the  quarries  with  work 
for  inspection." 


pTTTTT/ 

F 


nniiii7 


f 


TJiTrrrrrp 


iX 


"Good  work — Square  work." 
* #       »       *       *       *       *       * 

— "  What  is  the  day  and  the  hour  ?  " 
— "  It  is  the  sixth  day  and  the  sixth  hour." 

******** 
******** 

"  Impostor." 

******** 
******** 


The  brother  will  "  again  repair  to  the 
quarries  in  charge  of  the  Overseers  ;  with 
the  assurance,  that  when  he  has  wrought 
diligently,  and  exhibited  a  satisfactory  spec- 
imen of  his  skill  to  entitle  him  to  wages,  he 


10 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


shall  not  only  receive  wages,  but  be  taught 
how  to  receive  them." 


n  n 

u  A  workman  from  the  quarries  with  a 
specimen  of  his  skill." 


-&        * 


*        * 


■K-  -X- 


******** 

Prepared  for  the  fourth  degree  of   Ma- 
sonry. 

SECTION  II. 

RECEPTION. 

n  h 
0000 

******** 


The  symbolic  use  of  the  engraver's  chisel, 
under  the  pressure  of  the  mallet,  is  one  of 
the  first  things  to  which  the  attention  of 
the  brother  is  directed  in  this  section. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  11 

"  The  Chisel  is  an  instrument  made  use  of 
by  operative  Masons  to  cut,  carve,  mark, 
and  engrave  their  work,  that  it  may  be  the 
more  readily  known  and  distinguished  when 
carried  up  for  any  part  of  the  building. 
But  we,  as  Mark  Master  Masons,  are  taught 
to  make  use  of  it  for  a  more  noble  and 
glorious  purpose — to  cut,  carve,  mark,  and 
indelibly  engrave  upon  the  mind  and  con- 
science those  truly  Masonic  virtues,  silence 
and  circumspection." 


j- 


Then  he  brought  me  back  by  the  way  of 
the  gate  of  the  outward  sanctuary,  which 
looketh  toward  the  East,  and  it  was  shut. 

n 

Then  said  the  Lord  unto  me  :  This  gate 
shall  be  shut,  it  shall  not  be  opened,  and 
no  man  shall  enter  in  by  it  ;  because  the 
Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  hath  entered  in  by 
it,  therefore  it  shall  be  shut. 


12 


HAND-BOOK    OF   THE    CHAPTER. 


It  is  for  the  prince ;  the  prince,  he  shall 
sit  in  it  to  eat  bread  before  the  Lord  ;  he 
shall  enter  by  the  way  of  the  porch  of  that 
gate,  and  shall  go  out  by  the  way  of  the 
same. 

n  n 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Son  of  man, 
mark  well,  and  behold  with  thine  eyes,  and 
hear  with  thine  ears,  all  that  I  say  unto  thee 
concerning  all  the  ordinances  of  the  house 
of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  laws  thereof ;  and 
mark  well  the  entering  in  of  the  house,  with 
every  going  forth  of  the  sanctuary. 


■& 
# 


* 
* 


* 
* 


* 


* 

* 


•& 
* 


ft 


* 
* 


-X- 


* 

X 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  13 


"My  brother,  this  was  not  done  to  impose 
upon  you,  nor  to  trifle  with  your  feelings  ; 
but  to  impress  most  strongly  upon  your 
mind  this  fact — that  you  are  never  to  turn 
away  a  brother  in  distress,  who  presents 
you  his  mark,  without  giving  him  at  least  a 
quarter  of  a  dollar. 

This  degree  was  instituted  by  King  Sol- 
omon, not  only  as  an  honorary  reward  for 
the  faithful  of  the  Craft,  but  also  to  render 
it  impossible  for  a  Mark  Master  Mason  ever 
to  want  for  the  necessaries  of  life,  when  the 
value  of  his  mark  would  procure  them. 

A  brother  would  not  be  likely  to  present 
his  mark  to  one  so  poor  that  he  could  not, 
by  some  means,  raise  a  quarter  of  a  dollar ; 
nor  would  a  brother  place  another  in  a  posi- 
tion to  violate  his  O.  B.  The  brethren  of 
this  Lodge  well  knew  that  a  demand  for 
this  amount  would  be  made  of  you;  and 
therefore,  in  a  manner  unknown  to  you, 
provided  you  with  the  means  of  redeeming 


14  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


your  pledge.  This  is  the  way  in  which 
Masons  should  ever  dispense  their  chari- 
ties ;  should  you  meet  a  brother  in  distress, 
you  will  relieve  his  wants,  and,  if  possible, 
not  even  let  him  know  where  the  relief 
came  from. 

M  You  will  now  arise,  salute  the  Junior  and 
Senior  Wardens,  and  convince  them  that 
you  have  been  regularly  obligated  a  Mark 
Master  Mason/' 

******** 

The  work  is  right  in  the  South. 
The  work  is  right  in  the  West. 


■* 

•& 

* 

* 

-K 

¥r 

■K 

* 

* 

X 

* 

X 

This  is  the  stone  which  was  set  at  naught 
of  you  builders,  which  is  become  the  head 
of  the  corner.     Acts,  iv.  ir. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  15 

Did  ye  never  read  in  the  scriptures,  The 
stone  which  the  builders  rejected,  the  same 
is  become  the  head  of  the  corner  ?  Matt, 
xxi.  42. 

And  have  ye  not  read  this  scripture, 
The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected  is 
become  the  head  of  the  corner?  Mark 
xii.  10. 

What  is  this,  then,  that  is  written  :  The 
stone  which  the  builders  rejected  is  become 
the  head  of  the  corner  ?     Luke  xx.  i  7. 

He  that  hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 
Rev.  in.  13.     *     *     *     *     * 

This  stone  is  supposed  to  be  alluded 

to  in  a  certain  passage  of  scripture,  which 
says  : — 

To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  give  to 
eat  of  the  hidden  manna ;  and  I  will  give 
him  a  white  stone,  and  in  the  stone  a  new 
name  written,  which  no  man  knoweth,  sav- 
ing he  that  receiveth  it.     Rev.  ii.  17. 

This,  you  see,  is  a  white  stone; 


16  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

The  working  tools  of  a  Mark  Master 
are  the  chisel  and  mallet. 

THE  CHISEL 

Morally  demonstrates  the  advantages  of 
discipline  and  education.  The  mind,  like 
the  diamond  in  its  original  state,  is  rude 
and  unpolished ;  but  as  the  effect  of  the 
chisel  on  'the  external  coat  soon  presents 
to  view  the  latent  beauties  of  the  diamond, 
so  education  discovers  the  latent  virtues  of 
the  mind,  and  draws  them  forth  to  range 
the  large  field  of  matter  and  space,  to  dis- 
play the  summit  of  human  knowledge,  our 
duty  to  God  and  to  man. 

THE  MALLET 

Morally  teaches  to  correct  irregularities  and 
to  reduce  man  to  a  proper  level,  so  that,  by 
quiet  deportment,  he  may,  in  the  school  of 
discipline,  learn  to  be  content.  What  the 
mallet  is  to  the  workman,  enlightened  rea- 
son is  to  the  passions:  it  curbs  ambition, 
depresses  envy,  moderates  anger,  and  en- 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  17 


courages  good  dispositions;  whence  arises, 
among  good  Masons,  that  comely  order, 

t;  Which  nothing  earthly  gives,  or  can  destroy  ; 
The  soul's  calm  sunshine,  and  the  heart-felt  joy." 

"The  lecture  of  this  degree  is  given  by 
an  interchange  of  questions  and  answers 
between  the  R.  W.  Master  and  some  bro- 
ther of  the  Lodge.     Bro. ,  you 

will  answer  the  questions  for  the  brother's 
benefit."  * 


*  -X-  -x-  *  #  *■.#■■* 

*  -X-  -X  *  *  *  *  * 

CHARGE. 

Brother  : — 

I  congratulate  you  on  having  been 
thought  worthy  of  being  advanced  to  this 
honorable  degree  of  Masonry.  Permit  me 
to  impress  it  upon  your  mind,  that  your 
assiduity  should  ever  be  commensurate  with 
your  duties,  which  become  more  and  more 
extensive  as  you  advance  in  Masonry. 


*  The  S.  W.  is  the  brother  called  upon,  and  should  be  thoroughly  quali- 
fied to  answer.     If  he  is  not,  the  R.  W.  can  call  upon  any  brother  who  is. 


18  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

In  the  honorable  character  of  Mark  Mas- 
ter Mason,  it  is  your  duty  to  endeavor  to 
let  your  conduct  in  the  Lodge,  and  among 
your  brethren,  be  such  as  may  stand  the 
test  of  the  Grand  Overseer's  square ;  that 
you  may  not,  like  the  unfinished  and  im- 
perfect work  of  the  negligent  and  unfaith- 
ful of  former  times,  be  rejected  and  thrown 
aside  as  unfit  for  that  spiritual  building — 
that  house  not  made  with  hands — eternal 
in  the  heavens. 

While  such  is  your  conduct,  should  mis- 
fortune assail  you,  should  friends  forsake 
you,  should  envy  traduce  your  good  name, 
and  malice  persecute  you,  yet  may  you 
have  confidence  that  among  Mark  Master 
Masons  you  will  find  friends  who  will  ad- 
minister relief  to  your  distresses,  and  com- 
fort your  afflictions  ;  ever  bearing  in  mind, 
as  a  consolation  under  all  the  frowns  of 
fortune,  and  as  an  encouragement  to  hope 
for  better  prospects,  that  the  stone  which 
the  builders  rejected  (possessing  merits  to 
them  unknown)  became  the  chief  stone  of 
the  corner. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  19 

CLOSING. 

The  ceremony  of  closing,  when  properly 
conducted,  is  peculiarly  interesting. 


"The  Master  of  Ceremonies  will  assemble 
the  Craft  for  the  purpose  of  passing  the 
Senior  Grand  Warden's  Department  to  re- 
ceive their  wages." 

*.'*'.*  *  *  *  *  % 

The  following  song  is  sung: — 

Tune — "America." 

Mark  Masters,  all  appear 
Before  the  Chief  O'erseer, 

In  concert  move. 
Let  him  your  work  inspect 
For  the  Chief  Architect  \ 
If  there  be  no  defect, 

He  will  approve. 

You  who  have  passed  the  Square, 
For  your  rewards  prepare, 

Join  heart  and  hand ; 
Each  with  his  mark  in  view, 
March  with  the  just  and  true ; 
Wages  to  you  are  due, 

At  your  command. 


20  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

Hiram,  the  widow's  son, 
Sent  unto  Solomon 

Our  great  Key-stone ; 
On  it  appears  the  name 
That  raises  high  the  fame 
Of  all  to  whom  the  same 

Is  truly  known. 

Now  to  the  Westward  move, 
Where,  full  of  strength  and  love, 

Hiram  doth  stand. 
But  if  impostors  are 
Mixed  with  the  worthy  there, 
Caution  them  to  beware 

Of  the  right  hand. 


The  following  passage  from  the  Book  of 
the  Law  is  read : — 

Matt.  xx.  1-16. 

u  For  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto 
a  man  that  is  an  householder,  which  went 
out  early  in  the  morning  to  hire  laborers 
into  his  vineyard.  And  when  he  had  agreed 
with  the  laborers  for  a  penny  a  day,  he  sent 
them  into  his  vineyard.  And  he  went  out 
about  the  third  hour,  and  saw  others  stand- 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  21 

ing  idle  in  the  market-place,  and  said  unto 
them,  Go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard,  and 
whatsoever  is  right,  I  will  give  you.  And 
they  went  their  way.  And  again  he  went 
out  about  the  sixth  and  ninth  hour,  and  did 
likewise.  And  about  the  eleventh  hour  he 
went  out  and  found  others  standing  idle, 
and  saith  unto  them,  Why  stand  ye  here 
all  the  day  idle?  They  say  unto  him,  Be- 
cause no  man  hath  hired  us.  He  saith  unto 
them,  Go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard,  and 
whatsoever  is  right,  that  shall  ye  receive. 
So  when  even  was  come,  the  Lord  of  the 
vineyard  saith  unto  his  steward,  Call  the 
laborers,  and  give  them  their  hire,  begin- 
ning from  the  last  unto  the  first.  And 
when  they  came  that  were  hired  about  the 
eleventh  hour,  they  received  every  man  a 
penny.  But  when  the  first  came,  they  sup- 
posed that  they  should  have  received  more, 
and  they  likewise  received  every  man  a 
penny.  And  when  they  had  received  it, 
they  murmured  against  the  good  man  of 
the  house,  saying,  These  last  have  wrought 
but  one  hour,  and  thou  hast  made  them 
equal  unto  us  which  have  borne  the  burden 


22  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

and  heat  of  the  day.  But  he  answered  one 
of  them,  and  said,  Friend,  I  do  thee  no 
wrong  :  didst  thou  not  agree  with  me  for  a 
penny  ?  Take  that  thine  is,  and  go  thy 
way;  I  will  give  unto  this  last  even  as  unto 
thee.  Is  it  not  lawful  for  me  to  do  what  I 
will  with  mine  own  ?  Is  thine  eye  evil  be- 
cause I  am  good  ?  So  the  last  shall  be 
first,  and  the  first  last :  for  many  be  called, 
but  few  chosen." 


Now  to  the  praise  of  those 
Who  triumphed  o'er  the  foes 

Of  Masons'  arts  ; 
To  the  praiseworthy  three 
Who  founded  this  degree ; 
May  all  their  virtues  be 

Deep  in  our  hearts. 


Then  may  the  blessing  of  Heaven  rest 
upon  us,  and  all  regular  Masons !  May 
brotherly  love  prevail,  and  every  moral  and 
social  virtue  cement  us  !      Amen. 

Response  :  So  mote  it  be. 


PAST  MASTER. 


A  Lodge  of  Past  Masters  is  composed 
of  three,  or  more  ;  the 

Right  Worshipful  Master, 

Senior  Warden, 

Junior  Warden. 
The  following  officers  are  also  necessary 
to  constitute  a  perfect  Lodge  : — 

Treasurer, 

Secretary, 

Senior  Deacon, 

Junior  Deacon, 

Tyler. 
The  symbolic  color  of  the  Past  Master's 
degree  is  purple  ;  but  for  the  reason  given 
under  the  head  of  "  Mark  Master,"  the 
aprons  and  jewels  of  the  Chapter  are  also 
used  in  this  degree. 

A  brother  receiving  the  degree  of  Past 
Master  is  said  to  "have  been  regularly 
elected,  and  presided  in  the  Oriental  Chair." 


24  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


OPENING. 

X 

*         *         *        *        *         *         *         x 

n  n  i 

4  4    4  4    4 

PRAYER, 

ON  OPENING    A  LODGE  OF    PAST  MASTERS. 

Most  holy  and  glorious  Lord  God,  the 
Great  Architect  of  the  Universe,  the  giver 
of  all  good  gifts  and  graces  :  Thou  hast 
promised  that  where  two  or  three  are  gath- 
ered together  in  thy  name,  thou  wilt  be  in 
the  midst  of  them,  and  bless  them.  In 
thy  name  we  assemble,  most  humbly  be- 
seeching thee  to  bless  us  in  all  our  under- 
takings, that  we  may  know  and  serve  thee 
aright,  and  that  all  our  actions  may  tend  to 
thy  glory,  and  to  our  advancement  in 
knowledge  and  virtue;  and  we  beseech 
thee,  O  Lord  God,  to  bless  our  present 
assembling,  and  to  illumine  our  minds,  that 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  20 

we  may  walk  in  the  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance; and  when  the  trials  of  our  proba- 
tionary state  are  over,  be  admitted  into  the 
temple  "not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens."  Amen. 
Response  /So  mote  it  be. 


r 

0 

RECEPTION. 

The  first  of  the  V  General  Regulations 
of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  California"  reads 
as  follows  : — 

11  The  degree  of  Past  Master  must  be 
conferred  upon  all  candidates,  notwithstand- 
ing that  they  may  have  previously  had  a 
degree  of  that  name  conferred  upon  them 
in  a  convocation  of  Past  Masters,  by  virtue 
of  an  election  to  preside  over  a  Lodge  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons." 

The  purpose  for  which  the  Lodge  was 
convened  having  been  stated  by  the  R.  W. 
Master,  and  the  brother  invited  to  a  seat 
therein,  an  election  is  regularly  held.     The 


20 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


Master  elect  is  then  presented  for  installa- 
tion by  the  S.  D.,  as  follows: — 

"R.  W.   Master,  I  have  the  pleasure  of 

presenting  to   you   Bro. ,  who  has 

been  regularly  elected  Master  of  this  Lodge, 
and  is  now  ready  for  installation." 


"The  various  implements  of  Masonry  are 
illustrative  of  our  conduct  in  life;  and  upon 
this  occasion  should  be  carefully  enumer- 
ated." 


The  Holy  Bible,  or  Book  of  the  Law, 
that  great  light  in  Masonry,  will  guide  you 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  27 

to  all  truth;  it  will  direct  your  path  to  the 
temple  of  happiness,  and  point  out  to  you 
the  whole  duty  of  man. 


The  Square  teaches  us  to  regulate  our 
actions  by  rule  and  line,  and  to  harmonize 
our  conduct  by  the  principles  of  morality 
and  virtue. 


The  Compasses  teach  us  to  limit  our  de- 
sires in  every  station — that,  rising  to  emi- 
nence by  meri:,  we  may  live  respected  and 
die  regretted. 


The  Rule  directs  that  we  should  punctu- 
ally observe  our  duty,  press  forward  in  the 
path  of  virtue,  and,  neither  inclining  to  the 


28 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


right  nor  to  the  left,  in  all  our  actions  have 
eternity  in  view. 


J^£ 


The  Line  teaches  the  criterion  of  moral 
rectitude,  to  avoid  dissimulation  in  conver- 
sation and  action,  and  to  direct  our  steps 
to  the  path  which  leads  to  a  glorious  im- 
mortality. 


The  Book  of  Constitutions  you  are  to 
search  at  all  times.  Cause  it  to  be  read  in 
your  Lodge,  that  none  may  pretend  igno- 
rance of  the  excellent  precepts  it  enjoins. 


You  now  receive  in  charge  the  Charter, 
by  the  authority  of  which   this  Lodge  is 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  29 

held.     You  are  carefully   to  preserve  and 
duly  transmit  it  to  your  successor  in  office. 


You  will  also  receive  in  charge  the  By- 
Laws  of  your  Lodge,  which  you  are  to  see 
carefully  and  punctually  executed. 


And  last,  though  not  least,  I  present  you 
with  this  emblem  of  power.  You  will  do 
well  to  observe  its  use.  One  blow  will  call 
a  brother  to  order — and  he  dare  not  diso- 
bey it.  Two  blows  call  up  the  officers  of 
your  Lodge.  Three  blozvs  call  up  the  body 
of  your  Lodge.  One  blow  will  seat  them 
again.  This,  I  now  intrust  to  your  keep- 
ing, not  doubting  but  you  will  make  such 
good  use  of  it  as  Masters  have  done  in  all 
ages  before. 


30  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


["My  brother,  you  have,  no  doubt,  thought 
it  strange  and  unusual,  to  see  so  much  levity 
and  confusion  in  a  Lodge  of  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  professing  nothing  but  the 
purest  principles  of  morality  and  virtue. 
It  is  unusual  ;  and  on  any  other  occasion  is 
never  indulged  in.  This  levity  and  confu- 
sion, however,  have  an  important  moral 
lesson  attached, — and  teaches  us  that  we 
should  never  aspire  to  any  position  which 
'we  are  not  fully  qualified  to  discharge  the 
duties  of.  It  also  teaches  the  impossibility 
of  one  man  governing  the  many  without 
the  many  are  at  the  same  time  willing  to 
be  governed. 

"To  reign  supreme  in  the  hearts  and  affec- 
tions of  men,  must  be  far  more  grateful  to 
the  noble  and  benevolent  mind,  than  to  rule 
over  their  lives  and  fortunes.  And  to  en- 
able us  to  enjoy  this  pre-eminence  with 
honor  and  satisfaction,  it  is  necessary  that 
we  subject  our  passions  and  our  prejudices 
to  the  dominion  of  reason  and  charity."] 


■* 
* 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  31 


CHARGE. 

Brother  : — 

The  conferring  at  this  time  of  a  degree 
which  has  no  historical  connection  with  the 
other  capitular  degrees,  is  an  apparent 
anomaly,  which,  however,  is  indebted  for 
its  existence  to  the  following  circumstances: 

Originally,  when  Royal  Arch  Masonry 
was  under  the  government  of  symbolic 
Lodges,  in  which  the  Royal  Arch  Degree 
was  then  always  conferred,  it  was  a  regula- 
tion that  no  one  could  receive  it  unless  he 
had  previously  presided  as  the  Master  of 
that  or  some  other  Lodge  ;  and  this  restric 
tion  was  made  because  the  Royal  Arch  was 
deemed  too  important  a  degree  to  be  con- 
ferred only  on  Master  Masons. 

But,  as  by  confining  the  Royal  Arch  to 
those  only  who  had  been  actually  elected 
as  the  presiding  officers  of  their  Lodges, 
the  extension  of  the  degree  would  have 
been  materially  circumscribed,  and  its  use- 
fulness greatly  impaired,  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter often  granted,  upon  due  petition,  his 
dispensation  to  permit  certain  Master   Ma- 


32  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


sons  (although  not  elected  to  preside  over 
their  Lodges,)  "to  pass  the  chair"  which 
was  a  technical  term  intended  to  designate 
a  brief  ceremony,  by  which  the  candidate 
was  invested  with  the  mysteries  of  a  Past 
Master,  and,  like  him,  entitled  to  advance 
in  Masonry  as  far  as  the  Royal  Arch,  or 
perfection  and  consummation  of  the  third 
degree. 

When,  however,  the  control  of  the  Royal 
Arch  was  taken  from  the  symbolic  Lodges 
and  intrusted  to  a  distinct  organization, — 
that,  namely,  of  Chapters — the  regulation 
continued  to  be  observed,  for  it  was  doubt- 
ful to  many  whether  it  could  legally  be 
abolished  ;  and,  as  the  law  still  requires 
that  the  sublime  degree  of  Royal  Arch 
shall  be  restricted  to  Past  Masters,  our  can- 
didates are  made  to  pass  the  chair  simply 
as  a  preparation  and  qualification  toward 
beinor  invested  with  the  solemn  instructions 
of  the  Royal  Arch. 

The  ceremony  of  passing  the  chair,  or 
making  you  in  this  manner  a  Past  Master, 
does  not,  however,  confer  upon  you  any 
official  rank  outside  of  the  Chapter,  nor  can 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  S3 


you  in  a  symbolic  Lodge  claim  any  peculiar 
privileges  in  consequence  of  your  having 
received  in  the  Chapter  the  investiture  of 
the  Past  Master's  degree.  Those  who  re- 
ceive the  degree  in  symbolic  Lodges,  as  a 
part  of  the  installation  service,  when  elected 
to  preside,  have  been  properly  called  "  Act- 
ual Past  Masters/'  while  those  who  pass 
through  the  ceremony  in  a  Chapter,  as 
simply  preparatory  to  taking  the  Royal 
Arch,  are  distinguished  as  M  Virtual  Past 
Masters,"  to  show  that,  with  the  investiture 
of  the  secrets,  they  have  not  received  the 
rights  and  prerogatives  of  the  degree. 

With  this  brief  explanation  of  the  reason 
why  this  degree  is  now  conferred  upon  you, 
and  why  you  have  been  permitted  to  occupy 
the  chair,  you  will  retire,  and  suffer  your- 
self to  be  prepared  for  those  further  and 
profounder  researches  into  Masonry,  which 
can  only  be  consummated  in  the  Royal 
Arch  degree.     *         *         *         *         * 


34  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


CLOSING. 


n   n  " 
#  #  #  #  # 

PRAYER, 

AT  CLOSING  A  LODGE  OF  PAST  MASTERS. 

Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe,  ac- 
cept our  humble  praises  for  the  many  mer- 
cies and  blessings  which  thy  bounty  has 
conferred  on  us,  and  especially  for  this 
friendly  and  social  intercourse.  Pardon, 
we  beseech  thee,  whatever  thou  hast  seen 
amiss  in  us  since  we  have  been  together  ; 
and  continue  to  us  thy  presence,  protection, 
and  blessing.  Make  us  sensible  of  the  re- 
newed obligations  we  are  under  to  love  thee 
supremely,  and  to  be  friendly  to  each  other. 
May  all  our  irregular  passions  be  subdued, 
and  may  we  daily  increase  in  Faith,  Hope, 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  35 

and  Charity,  but  more  especially  in  that 
Charity  which  is  the  bond  of  peace,  and 
the  perfection  of  every  virtue.  May  we  so 
practice  thy  precepts  that  we  may  finally 
obtain  thy  promises,  and  find  an  entrance 
through  the  gates  into  the  temple  and  city 
of  our  God.     Amen. 

(Response  :     So  mote  it  be. 


r 


Note. — The  portion  of  the  lecture  included  within 
the  brackets,  is  only  to  be  used  when  the  degree  is 
conferred  in  what  is  termed  "  the  long  way" — Omitting 
that,  the  ceremony  is  appropriate  for  the  "  short  way" — 
which  in  most  instances  is  preferable,  and  is  strongly 
recommended. 


MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER. 


A  Lodge  of  Most  Excellent  Masters  is 
composed  of  three  or  more  : 

Most  Excellent  Master, 
Senior  Warden, 
Junior  Warden, 

With  the  following  additional  officers  : — 
Treasurer, 
Secretary, 

Master  or  Ceremonies, 
Senior  Deacon, 
Junior  Deacon, 
Tyler. 

The  ceremonies  commemorated  in  this 
degree,  particularly  refer  to  the  completion 
and  dedication  of  the  temple.  The  sym- 
bolic color  is,  like  that  of  the  fourth  and 
fifth  degrees,  purple;  but  the  Chapter  jew- 
els and  aprons  are  usually  worn  for  the 
reason  already  assigned. 

A  brother  receiving  this  degree  is  said 
to  be  "  received  and  acknowledged  a  Most 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  Ql 

Excellent  Master," — and  is  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  merits  and  skill  of  those  upon 
whom  it  is  conferred. 

OPENING. 

r 

4 


The  following  psalm  is  read  at  the 
opening  : — 

PSALM  XXIV. 

The  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  fullness 
thereof;  the  world  and  they  that  dwell 
therein.  For  he  hath  founded  it  upon  the 
seas,  and  established  it  upon  the  floods. 
Who  shall  ascend  into  the  hill  of  the  Lord, 
or  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place  ? 
He  that  hath  clean  hands,  and  a  pure  heart; 
who  hath  not  lifted  up  his  soul  unto  vanity, 
nor  sworn  deceitfully.  He  shall  receive 
the  blessing  from  the  Lord,  and  righteous- 
ness from  the  God  of  his  salvation.  This 
is  the  generation  of  them  that  seek  him, 
that  seek  thy  face,  O  Jacob.     Lift  up  your 


38  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

heads,  O  ye  gates;  and  be  ye  lifted  up,  ye 
everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory 
shall  come  in.  Who  is  this  King  of  Glory  ? 
The  Lord,  strong,  and  mighty;  the  Lord, 
mighty  in  battle.  Lift  up  your  heads,  O 
ye  gates;  even  lift  them  up,  ye  everlasting 
doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall  come 
in.  Who  is  this  King  of  Glory?  The 
Lord  of  Hosts,  he  is  the  King  of  Glory. 
Amen. 

Response  :  So  mote  it  be. 


H     H 


r 
# 

A  Lodge  of  Most  Excellent  Master  Ma- 
sons being  declared  open,  and  the  purpose 
for  which  it  was  convened  having  been 
stated,  the  Master  of  Ceremonies  is  directed 
to  ''repair  to  the  ante-room,  take  charge 
of  the  brother,  and  properly  prepare  and 
introduce  him." 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  39 

RECEPTION. 

I 

m  0  0     *00 
*        *        *        *        *        #        *        # 
******** 


i 
# 

I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  Let 
us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

h 

Our  feet  shall  stand  within  thy  gates,  O 
Jerusalem.  Jerusalem  is  builded  as  a  city 
that  is  compact  together. 

n  r 

Whither  the  tribes  go  up — the  tribes  of 
the  Lord — unto  the  testimony  of  Israel,  to 
give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord. 


40  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


n  n 

For  there  are  set  thrones  of  judgment — 
the  thrones  of  the  house  of  David. 

n  n  i 

4  4    4  4      4 

Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  ;  they 
shall  prosper  that  love  thee.  Peace  be 
within  thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy 
palaces. 

n  n  n 

For  my  brethren  and  companions'  sakes, 
I  will  now  say,  peace  be  within  thee  ;  be- 
cause of  the  house  of  the  Lord,  our  God,  I 
will  seek  thy  good. 


*        * 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


41 


**  * 


*  -K  * 


The  work  is  right  in  the  South. 
The  work  is  right  in  the  West. 
******** 

"Is  not  this  the  day  that  was  set 


apart  for  the  dedication  of  the  Temple,  and 
the  celebration  of  the  Cape-stone?" 

"  This  is  the  day  that  was  set  apart 

for  the  dedication  of  the  Temple  and  the 
celebration  of  the  Cape-stone. " 


The  following  ode  is  sung  :- 

All  hail  to  the  morning 
That  bids  us  rejoice  ; 

The  Temple's  completed, 
Exalt  high  each  voice. 


42 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


The  Cape-Stone  is  finished, 

Our  labor  is  o'er ; 
The  sound  of  the  Gavel 
Shall  hail  us  no  more. 
To  the  Power  Almighty,  who  ever  has  guided 

The  tribes  of  old  Israel,  exalting  their  fame, 
To  Him  who  hath  governed  our  hearts  undivided, 
Let's  send  forth  our  voices  to  praise  His  great  name. 

Companions,  assemble 

On  this  joyful  day  ; 
(The  occasion  is  glorious,) 

The  Key-Stone  to  lay  ; 
Fulfilled  is  the  promise, 

By  the  Ancient  of  Days, 
To  bring  forth  the  Cape- Stone 

With  shouting  and  praise. 


There  is  no  more  occasion  for  level  or  plumb-line, 
For  trowel  or  gavel,  for  compass  or  square  ; 

Our  works  are  completed,  the  Ark  safely  seated, 
And  we  shall  be  greeted  as  workmen  most  rare. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


43 


Now  those  that  are  worthy, 

Our  toils  who  have  shared, 
And  proved  themselves  faithful, 

Shall  meet  their  reward. 
Their  virtue  and  knowledge, 

Industry  and  skill, 
Have  our  approbation, 

Have  gained  our  good  will. 


We  accept  and  receive  them,  Most  Excellent  Masters, 
Invested  with  honors  and  power  to  preside  ; 

Among  worthy  Craftsmen  wherever  assembled, 

The  knowledge  of  Masons  to  spread  far  and  wide. 

And  King  Solomon  stood  before  the 
Altar  of  the  Lord,  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
congregation  of  Israel,  and  spread  forth 
his  hands,  and  said  : — 

O  Lord  God  of  Israel,  there  is  no  God 
like  thee  in  Heaven,  nor  in  the  earth;  which 
keepest  covenant,  and  showest  mercy  unto 


44  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

thy  servants  that  walk  before  thee  with  all 
their  hearts.  Now  then,  O  Lord  God  of 
Israel,  let  thy  word  be  verified,  which  thou 
hast  spoken  unto  thy  servant  David.  But 
will  God  in  very  deed  dwell  with  men  on 
the  earth  ?  Behold,  heaven,  and  the  heaven 
of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee;  how  much 
less  this  house  which  I  have  builded  !  Have 
respect,  therefore,  to  the  prayer  of  thy  ser- 
vant, and  to  his  supplication,  O  Lord  God, 
to  hearken  unto  the  cry  and  the  prayer 
which  thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee ;  that 
thine  eyes  may  be  open  upon  this  house 
day  and  night,  upon  the  place  whereof  thou 
hast  said  that  thou  wouldst  put  thy  name 
there;  to  hearken  unto  the  prayer  which 
thy  servant  prayeth  towards  this  place. 

Hearken,  therefore,  unto  the  supplica- 
tions of  thy  servant,  and  of  thy  people 
Israel,  which  they  shall  make  towards  this 
place;  hear  thou  from  thy  dwelling  place, 
even  from  heaven;  and,  when  thou  hearest, 
forgive.     Amen. 

Response:  So  mote  it  be. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


45 


& 


2  CIIRON.   VII.    1-4. 

"  Now,  when  Solomon  had  made  an  end 
of  praying,  the  fire  came  down  from  heaven, 
and  consumed  the  burnt  offering  and  the 
sacrifices;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  filled 
the  house;  and  the  priests  could  not  enter 
into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  because  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  had  filled  the  Lord's 
house. 

"And  when  the  children  of  Israel  saw  how 
the  fire  came  down,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  upon  the  house,  they  bowed  themselves, 
with  their  faces  to  the  ground,  upon  the 
pavement,  and  worshipped  and  praised  the 
Lord,  saying,  For  he  is  good;  for  his  mercy 
endureth  forever!' 


46  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

Almighty  Jehovah  ! 

Descend  now  and  fill 
This  Lodge  with  thy  glory, 

Our  hearts  with  good  will  ! 
Preside  at  our  meetings ; 

Assist  us  to  find 
True  pleasure  in  teaching 
Good  will  to  mankind. 
Thy  Wisdom  inspired  the  great  Institution; 

Thy  Strength  shall  support  it  till  nature  expire  ; 
And  when  the  creation  shall  fall  into  ruin, 

Its  Beauty  shall  rise  through  the  midst  of  the 
fire! 


r 

# 

The  brethren  will  clothe  themselves  and 
be  seated. 

LECTURE. 

Brother  : — 

The  degree  of  Most  Excellent  Mas- 
ter is  regarded,  among  Masons,  as  one  of 
the  Most  beautiful  of  the  Order.  It  was 
instituted  by  at  the  completion 

and  dedication  of  the  Temple;  not  only  as 
a  reward  for  the  faithful  and  meritorious  of 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  47 

the  Craft,  but  as  a  substitute  also  for  the  * 
of  a  *  *  that  had  been  promised  them; 
but  which,  owing  to  the  untimely  death  of 
the  Grand  Master  *  *  it  was  impossible 
for  *  *  to  communicate.  This,  there- 
fore, was  instituted  instead;  and  with  it,  the 
Craft  were  satisfied. 

None  but  the  meritorious  and  praise- 
worthy; none  but  those  who,  through  dili- 
gence and  industry,  have  advanced  far  tow- 
ards perfection;  none  but  those  who  have 
been  seated  in  the  Oriental  Chair,  by  the 
unanimous  suffrages  of  their  brethren,  can 
be  admitted  to  this  degree  of  Masonry. 

In  the  original  establishment,  when  the 
Temple  of  Jerusalem  was  finished,  and  the 
Fraternity  celebrated  the  cape-stone  with 
great  joy;  it  is  demonstrable  that  none  but 
those  who  had  proved  themselves  to  be 
complete  masters  of  their  profession,  were 
admitted  to  this  honor;  and,  indeed,  the 
duties  incumbent  on  every  Mason  who  is 
received  and  acknowledged  a  Most  Excel- 
lent Master,  are  such  as  render  it  indispen- 
sable that  he  should  have  a  correct  knowl- 
edge of  all  the  preceding  degrees. 


48  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

The  foundations  of  the  Temple  were  laid 
by  King  Solomon,  in  the  year  of  the  world, 
2992,  and  the  building  was  finished  in  the 
year  3000.  About  seven  years  and  six 
months  were  consumed  in  its  erection.  It 
was  dedicated  in  the  year  3001,  with  great 
solemnity,  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
assembled  people  of  Israel,  to  the  worship 
of  Jehovah,  who  condescended  to  make  it 
the  place  of  the  special  manifestation  of 
his  glory. 

Perhaps  no  structure,  erected  either  be- 
fore or  since,  is  to  be  compared  with  it,  for 
its  exactly  proportioned  and  beautiful  dimen- 
sions. Its  various  courts  and  other  apart- 
ments were  capable  of  holding  300,000 
people.  It  was  adorned  with  1453  columns 
of  the  finest  Parian  marble,  twisted,  sculpt- 
ured, and  voluted  ;  and  2906  pilasters,  dec- 
orated with  magnificent  capitals.  The 
Oracle  and  Sanctuary  were  lined  with  mass- 
ive gold,  adorned  with  embellishments  in 
sculpture,  and  set  with  numerous  gorgeous 
and  dazzling  decorations  of  diamonds  and 
all  kinds  of  precious  stones.  In  the  em- 
phatic language  of  Josephus,   "  the  whole 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  49 

Temple  shined,  and  dazzled  the  eyes  of  such 
as  entered  it,  by  the  splendor  of  the  gold 
that  was  on  every  side  of  them."  The 
multitude,  on  beholding  it,  were  struck  with 
bewildering  amazement,  and  raised  their 
hands  in  astonishment  and  admiration  at 
its  wondrous  magnificence. 

Nothing  ever  equaled  the  splendor  of  its 
consecration.  Israel  sent  forth  her  thou- 
sands, and  the  assembled  people  beheld,  in 
awful  adoration,  the  vast  sacrifice  of  Solo- 
mon accepted.  The  flame  descended  upon 
the  altar  and  consumed  the  offering  ;  the 
shadow  and  glory  of  the  Eternal  proclaimed 
His  presence  between  the  cherubim,  and 
the  voice  of  His  thunders  told  to  the  faith- 
ful of  the  Craft  that  the  perfectness  of  their 
labor  was  approved. 

CHARGE. 
Brother  : — 

Your  reception  to  this  degree  of  Ma- 
sonry is  a  proof  of  the  good  opinion  the 
brethren  of  this  Lodge  entertain  of  your 
Masonic  abilities.  Let  this  consideration 
induce  you   to   be  careful   of  forfeiting,  by 


50  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

misconduct  and  inattention  to  our  rules, 
that  esteem  which  has  raised  you  to  the 
rank  you  now  possess. 

It  is  one  of  your  great  duties,  as  a  Most 
Excellent  Master,  to  dispense  light  and 
truth  to  the  uninformed  Mason  ;  and  I  need 
not  remind  you  of  the  impossibility  of  com- 
plying with  this  obligation,  without  possess- 
ing an  accurate  acquaintance  with  the  lect- 
ures of  each  degree. 

If  you  are  not  already  completely  con- 
versant in  all  the  degrees  heretofore  con- 
ferred on  you,  remember  that  an  indulgence, 
prompted  by  a  belief  that  you  will  apply 
yourself  with  double  diligence  to  make 
yourself  so,  has  induced  the  brethren  to 
accept  you. 

Let  it,  therefore ,  be  your  unremitting 
study  to  acquire  such  a  degree  of  knowl- 
edge and  information  as  shall  enable  you  to 
discharge  with  propriety  the  various  duties 
incumbent  on  you,  and  to  preserve  unsul- 
lied the  title — now  conferred  upon  you — of 
Most  Excellent  Master. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  51 


CLOSING. 


*       * 


*      *       *       * 


PSALM  XXIII. 


The  Lord  is  my  shepherd;  I  shall  not 
want.  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green 
pastures.  He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still 
waters.  He  restoreth  my  soul.  He  lead- 
eth me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness,  for  his 
name's  sake.  Yea,  though  I  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will 
fear  no  evil;  for  thou  art  with  me;  thy  rod 
and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me.  Thou  pre- 
preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence 
of  mine  enemies.  Thou  anointest  my  head 
with  oil;  my  cup  runneth  over.  Surely 
goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the 


52  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

days  of  my  life;    and  I  will  dwell  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  forever.     Amen. 
Response:  So  mote  it  be. 

******** 


n   n  n 

4  4    4  4    4  4 


-K  -K 


THE   ROYAL  ARCH   DEGREE. 


SECTION  I. 

This  section  explains  the  manner  of  open- 
ing a  Chapter — the  number,  station,  and 
duties  of  the  officers,  and  the  color  of  the 
banners  appropriate  to  the  degree.  It  fur- 
nishes many  interesting  particulars  con- 
nected with  the  building  of  the  second 
Temple.  It  also  illustrates  the  organiza- 
tion and  government  of  the  Chapter,  and 
should,  therefore,  be  carefully  studied  by 
every  companion  who  aspires  to  the  dignity 
of  official  rank . 

A  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  is 
composed  of  "nine  regular  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  consisting  of  the — 

M.  E.  High  Priest, 

King, 

Scribe, 

Captain  of  the  Host, 

Principal  Sojourner, 

Royal  Arch  Captain,  and 

Three  Grand  Masters  of  the  VATLS.,, 


54  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

Also  of  a 

Treasurer, 
Secretary, 

Guard,  and  any  convenient  number 
of  members. 
Royal  Arch  Chapters  are   "  dedicated  to 
Zerubbabel." 

A  brother  receiving  the  degree  is  said  to 
be  "  exalted  to  the  sublime  degree  of  Royal 
Arch  Mason." 

A  Royal  Arch  Chapter  represents  "  the 
Tabernacle  which  our  ancient  brethren 
erected  near  the  old  ruins  of  King  Solo- 
mon's Temple." 

OPENING. 

r 

d 

X  *  *  *  *  *  fc  * 

******  *  * 

*****•*#** 


d  d  d 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  55 


CHARGE  AT  OPENING. 

Now  we  command  you,  brethren,  that  ye 
withdraw  yourselves  from  every  brother  that 
walketh  disorderly,  and  not  after  the  tra- 
dition which  ye  received  of  us.  For  your- 
selves know  how  ye  ought  to  follow  us;  for 
we  behaved  not  ourselves  disorderly  among 
you.  Neither  did  we  eat  any  man's  bread 
for  naught,  but  wrought  with  labor  and 
travail  day  and  night  that  we  might 
not  be  chargeable  to  any  of  you.  Not 
because  we  have  not  power,  but  to  make 
ourselves  an  ensample  unto  you  to  follow 
us.  For  even  when  we  were  with  you, 
this  we  commanded  you:  that  if  any  would 
not  work,  neither  should  he  eat  ;  for  we 
hear  there  are  some  who  walk  among  you 
disorderly,  working  not  at  all,  but  are  busy- 
bodies.  Now  them  that  are  such,  we  com- 
mand and  exhort,  that  with  quietness  they 
work,  and  eat  their  own  bread.  But  ye, 
brethren,  be  not  weary  in  well  doing.  And 
if  any  man  obey  not  our  word,  note  that 
man  and  have  no  company  with  him,  that 
he  may  be  ashamed.     Yet  count  him  not 


1 


56  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

as   an    enemy,    but    admonish    him    as   a 
brother.     Now  the  Lord  of  peace  himself 
give  you  peace  always.     Amen. 
Response:  So  mote  it  be. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed 
be  thy  name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven. 
Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And 
forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those 
who  trespass  against  us.  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation;  but  deliver  us  from  evil. 
For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power, 
and  the  glory,  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


m  rn  j 


r 

0 


If  the  Chapter  has  been  convened  for 
work,  the  M.  E.  High  Priest  will  state  the 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  57 

fact,  and  name  the  brethren  to  be  ex- 
alted; "if  there  are  no  objections,  Comp. 
Principal  Sojourner,  you  will  repair  to  the 
ante-room;  take  charge  of  the  brethren, 
and  properly  prepare  and  introduce  them." 

SECTION  2. 

This  section  embodies  the  ritual  of  the 
degree,  and  is  fully  supplied  with  illustra- 
tions of  historical  truth.  It  contains  much 
that  is  explanatory  of  the  preceding  de- 
grees, (a  perfect  knowledge  of  which  is 
essential  to  the  accomplished  and  well-in- 
formed Mason,)  and  should  be  carefully 
studied  by  every  Brother  who  has  been 
found  worthy  to  be  exalted  to  this  sublime 
degree. 

RECEPTION. 


a  &  *    4  4  4 

r 

* 

-X-             X             X 

* 

* 

•K-              -X-              * 

* 

"  Whosoever  humbleth  himself,  the  same 
shall  be  exalted." 


58  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


Brethren,  you  have  just  passed  *  * 
*  *  *  which  is  to  make  a  lasting  im- 
pression upon  your  minds,  that  the  principal 
secret  of  this  degree  can  only  be  communi- 
cated *     *     *     * 

You  have  already  been  taught,  as  Ma- 
sons, that,  before  entering  upon  any  great 
and  important  undertaking,  you  should  first 
invoke  the  aid  and  blessing  of  God.  You 
will  therefore  kneel  for 

PRAYER. 

O  thou  Eternal  and  Omnipotent  God, 
who,  by  thine  Almighty  Word,  didst  speak 
into  being  the  stupendous  Arch  of  Heaven, 
and,  for  the  instruction  and  pleasure  of  thy 
rational    creatures,     didst    adorn    us    with 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  59 

greater  and  lesser  lights,  thereby  magnify- 
ing thy  power,  and  endearing  thy  goodness 
unto  the  sons  of  men  :  We  humbly  adore 
and  worship  thine  unspeakable  perfection. 
We  bless  thee,  that  when  man  had  fallen 
from  his  innocence  and  happiness,  thou 
didst  leave  him  the  powers  of  reasoning, 
and  the  capacity  of  improvement  and  of 
pleasure.  We  thank  thee,  that  amidst  the 
pains  and  calamities  of  our  present  state, 
so  many  means  of  refreshment  and  satis- 
faction are  preserved  unto  us,  while  travel- 
ing the  rugged  path  of  life.  Especially 
would  we,  at  this  time,  render  thee  our 
thanksgiving  and  praise  for  the  Institution, 
as  members  of  which  we  are  now  assem- 
bled, and  for  all  the  pleasures  we  have  de- 
rived from  it.  We  thank  thee,  that  the  few 
here  assembled  before  thee  have  been  fa- 
vored with  new  inducements,  and  been  laid 
under  new  and  stronger  obligations  of  virtue 
and  holiness.  May  these  obligations,  O 
blessed  Father  !  have  their  full  effect  upon 
us.  Teach  us,  we  pray  thee,  the  true  rev- 
erence of  thy  great,  mighty,  and  terrible 
name.     Inspire  us  with  a  firm  and  unshaken 


60  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

resolution  in  our  virtuous  pursuits.  Give 
us  grace  diligently  to  search  thy  Word  in 
the  book  of  nature,  and  in  the  Holy  Script- 
ures, wherein  the  duties  of  our  high  voca- 
tion are  inculcated  with  Divine  authority. 
May  the  solemnity  of  the  ceremonies  of 
our  Institution  be  duly  impressed  on  our 
minds,  and  have  a  happy  and  lasting  effect 
upon  our  lives  !  O  thou,  who  didst  afore- 
time appear  unto  thy  servant  Moses  in  a 
flame  of  fire  out  of  the  midst  of  a  bush,  en- 
kindle, we  beseech  thee,  in  each  of  our 
hearts,  a  flame  of  devotion  to  thee,  of  love 
to  each  other,  and  of  charity  to  all  mankind  ! 
May  all  thy  miracles  and  mighty  works  fill 
us  with  dread,  and  thy  goodness  impress  us 
with  a  love  of  thy  holy  name !  May  the 
leprosy  of  sin  be  eradicated  from  our  bo- 
soms, and  may  Holiness  to  the  Lord  be 
engraven  on  all  our  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions !  May  the  incense  of  piety  ascend 
continually  unto  thee  from  the  Altar  of 
our  hearts,  and  burn  day  and  night,  as  a 
sacrifice  of  sweet  smelling  savor,  well  pleas- 
ing  unto  thee  !        And  since  sin   has  de- 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  61 

stroyed  within  us  the  First  Temple  of  pu- 
rity and  innocence,  may  thy  heavenly  grace 
guide  and  assist  us  in  rebuilding  a  Second 
Temple  of  reformation,  and  may  the  glory 
of  this  latter  house  be  greater  than  the 
glory  of  the  former.  So  mote  it  be, 
Amen.         *         *         *         *         *         * 

isaiah  xlii,  16. 

I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they 
knew  not ;  I  will  lead  them  in  paths  that 
they  have  not  known  ;  I  will  make  dark- 
ness light  before  them,  and  crooked  things 
straight.  These  things  will  I  do  unto  them, 
and  will  not  forsake  them. 


i    i 


62 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


* 


* 


Arise,  pursue  your  journey,  and  peace 
be  with  you. 

EXODUS  II,    i,  6. 

Now,  Moses  kept  the  flock  of  Jethro,  his 
father-in-law,  the  priest  of  Midian  ;  and  he 
led  the  flock  to  the  back  side  of  the  desert, 
and  came  to  the  mountain  of  GoD,^even  to 
Horeb.  i\nd  the  angel  of  the  Lord  ap- 
peared unto  him  in  a  flame  of  fire,  out  of 
the  midst  of  a  bush  ;  andf^he  looked,  and 
behold  the  bush  burned  with  fire,  and  the 
bush  was  not  consumed.  And  Moses  said, 
I  will  now  turn 'aside,  and  see  this  great 
sight :  why  the  bush  is  not  burnt.  And 
when  the  Lord  saw  that  he  turned  aside  to 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  63 

see,  God  called  to  him  out  of  the  midst  of 
the  bush,  and  said,  Moses,  Moses  !  And 
he  said,  Here  am  I.  And  he  said,  Draw 
not  nigh  hither  :  Put  off  thy  shoes  from  off 
thy  feet,  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest 
is  holy  ground.  Moreover,  he  said,  I  am 
the  God  of  thy  father,  the  God  of  Abra- 
ham, the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob.  And  Moses  hid  his  face,  for  he 
was  afraid  to  look  upon  God. 

2  CHRON.  XXXVI.    ii,  20. 

Zedekiah  was  one-and-twenty  years  old 
when  he  began  to  reign,  and  he  reigned 
eleven  years  in  Jerusalem.  And  he  did 
that  which  was  evil  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord  his  God,  and  humbled  not  himself 
before  Jeremiah  the  prophet,  speaking  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Lord.  And  he  also  re- 
belled against  King  Nebuchadnezzar,  and 
stiffened  his  neck,  and  hardened  his  heart, 
from  turning  unto  the  Lord  God  of  Israel. 

Moreover,  all  the  chief  of  the  priests, 
and  the  people,  transgressed  very  much 
after  all  the  abominations  of  the  heathen, 
and  polluted  the  house  of  the  Lord,  which 


64  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


he  had  hallowed  in  Jerusalem.  And  the 
Lord  God  of  their  fathers  sent  to  them  by 
his  messengers ;  because  he  had  compas- 
sion on  his  people,  and  on  his  dwelling- 
place.  But  they  mocked  the  messengers 
of  God,  and  despised  his  word,  and  misused 
his  prophets,  until  the  wrath  of  the  Lord 
arose  against  his  people,  till  there  was  no 
remedy. 

Therefore  he  brought  upon  them  the 
King  of  the  Chaldees,  who  slew  their  young 
men  with  the  sword,  in  the  house  of  their 
sanctuary,  and  had  no  compassion  upon 
young  men  or  maidens,  old  men,  or  him 
that  stooped  for  age  ;  he  gave  them  all  in- 
to his  hand.  And  all  the  vessels  of  the 
house  of  God,  great  and  small,  and  the 
treasures  of  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  treasures  of  the  King  and  his  princes  ; 
all  these  he  brought  to  Babylon.  And  they 
burnt  the  house  of  God,  and  break  down  the 
wall  of  Jerusalem,  and  burnt  all  the  palaces 
thereof  with  fire,  and  destroyed  all  the 
goodly  vessels  thereof.  And  them  that 
had   escaped   from    the    sword   carried  he 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  65 

away  to  Babylon  ;  where  they  were  ser- 
vants unto  him  and  his  sons,  until  the  reign 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Persia.        * 


Good  news  !    Good  news  ! 

Thus  saith  Cyrus,  King  of  Persia  :  The 
Lord  God  of  Heaven  hath  given  me  all 
the  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  and  he  hath 
charged  me  to  build  him  an  house  at  Jeru- 
salem, which  is  in  Judah.  Who  is  there 
among  you  of  all  his  people  ?  His  God  be 
with  him,  and  let  him  go  up  to  Jerusalem, 
which  is  in  Judah,  and  build  the  house  of 
the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  which  is  in  Jeru- 
salem. 


P.*.  S.\ 
o 
Behold,  when  /  c^me  unto  the  children 

of    Israel,  and  shall  say  unto   them,   The 

God  of  your  fathers  hath  sent  me  unto  you, 

and    they  shall    say  to    ?ne,    What  is    his 

name  ?    what  shall  /say  unto  them  ? 


66  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


Thus  shalt  thou  say  unto  the  children 
of  Israel  :  I  am  that  I  am  ;  I  am  hath 
sent  me  unto  you. 

P.-.  S.\ 


SYMBOLIC  JOURNEY. 
-There    are    two   routes    leading  up 


to  Jerusalem:  one  lies  through  the  enemies' 
country;  the  other,  through  the  wilderness. 
Should  we  take  the  route  through  the  ene- 
mies' country,  we  are  liable  to  be  again 
taken  prisoners,  and  perhaps  suffer  a  worse 
captivity  than  that  from  which  we  have  just 
been  liberated.  We  will,  therefore,  go 
through  the  wilderness.  *         * 

While  departing  from  this,  the  place 

of  our  captivity,  let  us  place  our  trust  in 
Him  who  hath  caused  our  deliverance,  and 
invoke  His  aid  to  guide  us  on  our  journey. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  G7 


We    have    now    gained    the    open 


plain ;  beyond  the  limits  of  that  vast  city 
which  has  been  so  long  the  place  of  our 
captivity.  Where  for  seventy  years  our 
harps  have  hung  upon  the  willows,  and  we 
have  borne,  impatiently,  the  burdens  im- 
posed upon  us  by  our  imperious  masters  — 
and  where  so  many  of  our  companions, 
while  vainly  waiting  for  the  day  of  their 
deliverance,  have  gone  to  that  long  sleep, 
which  knows  no  waking.  But  we  are  of 
those  to  whom  it  has  pleased  the  God  of 
our  fathers  to  grant  length  of  days  —  to 
endure  our  sorrows  to  a  termination  —  and 
to  behold  the  downfall  of  the  city  of  our 
oppressors.  So  Babylon  is  fallen  !  She, 
in  her  pride,  was  the  queen  of  nations  ; 
enriched  with  the  spoils  and  conquests  of 
ages,  from  the  days  of  her  who  brought 
thither  the  treasures  of  Nineveh  to  him 
who  burned  the  City  of  God,  and  plun- 
dered the  sacred  vessels  of  the  sanctuary. 
But  while  an  imperious  successor  was  rev- 
eling in  the  spoils,  and  with  sacrilegious 
lips  profaned  the  sacred  cups,  the  finger  of 
the  Almighty   wrote  his   doom   upon  the 


68  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


wall :  ■•  Mene,  mene,  tekel,  upharsin  "  * —  thou 
art  weighed  in  the  balance  and  found  wanting. 
Companions,  let  us  kneel  and  render  thanks 
to  Him  who  hath  caused  our  release,  and 
invoke  his  aid  to  guide  and  protect  us  on 
our  toilsome  journey.         *  * 

PSALM  CXLI. 

Lord,  I  cry  unto  thee:  make  haste  unto 
me  ;  give  ear  unto  my  voice.  Let  my 
prayer  be  set  forth  before  thee  as  incense, 
and  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  the  eve- 
ning sacrifice.  Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before 
my  mouth  ;  keep  the  door  of  my  lips.  In- 
cline not  my  heart  to  any  evil  thing,  to 
practice  wicked  works  with  men  that  work 
iniquity.  Let  the  righteous  smite  me,  it 
shall  be  a  kindness ;  and  let  him  reprove 
me,  it  shall  be  an  excellent  oil.  Mine  eyes 
are  unto  thee,  O  God  the  Lord  :  in  thee  is 
my  trust ;  leave  not  my  soul  destitute. 
Keep  me  from  the  snares  which  they  have 
laid  for  me,  and  the  gins  of  the  workers  of 
iniquity.     Let  the  wicked  fall  into  their  own 

*  Pronounced,  May-nay,  may-nay,  tay-kel,  oo-phar-sin. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  69 

nets,  while  that   I   withal  escape.     So  mote 
it  be,  Amen. 


:::   We  appear  to  be  approaching  * 

::  the  ruins  of  an  ancient  city.     From  ¥ 

*  the  distance  we  have  traveled,  and  :;: 
f  the  direction  in  which  they  lie  from  ':: 
;-:  Babylon,  they  must  be  the  ruins  of  :; 
:::  the  ancient    city  of   Rabba.     Here  :;: 

*  are  ruined  walls,  broken  columns  and  ::: 
:I:  pilasters  ;  step  carefully,  compan-  ;-: 
:!:  ions,  and  we  will  soon  be  over  this  * 
:::  rough  and  rugged  portion  of  our  :I: 
:::  journey.      *           *           :;:           *           ::: 

It  is  a  rough  and  rugged  road  like 

the  journey  of  life ;  beset  with  toil  and 
hopeless  care ;  ever  striving  to  reach  the 
promised  goal,  we  must  not  despair.  Our 
fathers  traversed  this  wilderness  and  success 
was  the  reward  of  their  patience.  Like 
them,  let  us  place  our  trust  in  Jehovah,  and 
patiently  pursue  our  toilsome  path.  Around 
us  are  the  everlasting  witnesses  of  God's 
favor   to    his    chosen    people.     Yonder    is 


70  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


hoary  Sinai,  where  God  spake  unto  Moses 
in  the  thunder  and  lightning,  and  gave  to 
man  that  great  table  of  the  law,  saying, 
"  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  Gods  before 
me."  Companions,  let  this  be  a  token  for 
us  to  obey  his  commands,  and  follow  not 
after  the  abominations  of  the  heathen — 
that  length  of  days  may  be  our  portion, 
and  our  children  like  the  fruitful  vine.  And 
here,  let  us  again  kneel,  and  render  thanks 
to  God,  and  invoke  His  aid  to  guide  us  on 
our  journey. 

PSALM   CXLII. 

I  cried  unto  the  Lord  with  my  voice  ; 
with  my  voice  unto  the  Lord  did  I  make 
my  supplication.  I  poured  out  my  com- 
plaint before  him  :  I  showed  before  him  my 
trouble.  When  my  spirit  was  overwhelm- 
ed within  me,  then  thou  knewest  my  path  : 
in  the  way  wherein  I  walked  have  they 
privily  laid  a  snare  for  me.  I  looked  on 
my  right  hand,  and  beheld,  but  there  was 
no  man  that  would  know  me  :  refuge  failed 
me  :  no  man  cared  for  my  soul.  I  cried 
unto  thee,   O   Lord  :   I  said,  Thou  art  my 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  71 


refuge,  and  my  portion  in  the  land  of  the 
living.  Attend  unto  my  cry  ;  for  I  am 
brought  very  low  ;  deliver  me  from  my 
persecutors  ;  for  they  are  stronger  than  I. 
Bring  my  soul  out  of  darkness,  that  I  may 
praise  thy  name.     So  mote  it  be.  Amen. 


:!: 


*  We  again  appear  to  be  approach-  * 

*  ing  the  ruins  of  some  ancient  city  ;  ::: 
:::  and  being  in  the  confines  of  Judea,  :;: 
:;:  they  must  be  the  ruins  of  Tadmor  ":: 
:-:  —  once  a  powerful  city,  built  by  :*: 
:::  King  Solomon  as  a  resting-place  for  ;I: 
:j:  the  caravans  trading  into  Egypt.  :!: 
:i:  Again  we  meet  with  ruined  arches,  :; 
:::  broken  columns  and  pilasters.    Step  * 

*  carefully,  companions,   our  troubles  :;: 

*  will  soon  end.     Already   I    see    in  * 

*  the  distance  the  open  plain  spread-  * 
:*:  ing  out  before   us.     Step   carefully,  * 

:l:  &c                   O                  *                 *                 *                 * 

We  have  now  passed  the  country  of 

the  Moabites  and  Ammonites,  who  were  the 


72  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

enemies  of  our  people.  They  refused  hos- 
pitality to  our  fathers  while  traversing  this 
wilderness,  and  it  was  then  decreed  that  a 
Moabite  or  an  Ammonite  should  not  en- 
ter into  the  congregation  of  the  Lord,  even 
to  the  tenth  generation.  We  may  now 
look  down  upon  that  sea  which  the  wrath 
of  God  caused  to  hide  the  wicked  city  of 
the  plain  —  an  ever-enduring  witness  of  the 
vengeance  which  will  surely  follow  those 
who  obey  not  his  commands.  And  here, 
in  this  land  given  to  the  children  of  Israel 
for  their  inheritance,  let  us  once  more 
kneel,  and  render  thanks  to  Him  who  hath 
guided  us  so  near  to  our  journey's  end,  and 
invoke  His  aid  to  guide  us  through  the 
journey  of  life.         *         * 

PSALM  CXLIII. 

Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord  ;  give  ear 
to  my  supplications  ;  in  thy  faithfulness 
answer  me,  and  in  thy  righteousness. 
And  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  ser- 
vant: for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be 
justified.  For  the  enemy  hath  persecuted  my 
soul  ;  he  hath  smitten  my  life  down  to  the 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  73 

ground  :  he  hath  made  me  to  dwell  in  dark- 
ness. Therefore  is  my  spirit  overwhelmed 
within  me  :  my  heart  within  me  is  desolate. 
Hear  me  speedily,  O  Lord  ;  my  spirit  fail- 
eth  ;  hide  not  thy  face  from  me,  lest  I  be 
like  unto  them  that  go  down  into  the  pit. 
Cause  me  to  hear  thy  loving  kindness  in 
the  morning,  for  in  thee  do  I  trust :  cause 
me  to  know  the  way  wherein  I  should 
walk  ;  for  I  lift  my  soul  unto  thee.  Teach 
me  to  do  thy  will  ;  for  thou  art  my  God  : 
bring  my  soul  out  of  trouble,  and  of  thy 
mercy  cut  off  mine  enemies,  for  I  am  thy 
servant.     So  mote  it  be.  Amen.       *     *     * 


*  I   fear,   my  companions,   that  we  * 

*  are  not  yet  over  all  our  difficulties.  * 

*  This  land  of  Gilead  is  full  of  ruined  * 

*  cities  which  felt  the  wrath  of  the  As-  * 

*  Syrian  oppressor.     Here,  before  us,  * 

*  are  the  ruined  walls  and  Temples  of  * 

*  Damascus,  our  ancient  rival  and  en-  * 

*  emy.      We   must   creep  under  the  * 

*  broken  arches  of  its  gates,  and  over  * 

*  the  rubbish  of  its  walls.     Step  care-  * 


74  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

*  fully,  companions,  and  be  of  good  * 

*  cheer.    Already  the  towering  heights  * 

*  upon  which  the  sacred  city  of  Jeru-  * 

*  salem  was  built  are   plainly  visible,  * 
?  and    our   toilsome    journey    almost  * 

*  ended.      *      *      *      *     *      *      * 


Rough  and  rugged  as  has  been  our 


road,  and  long  and  toilsome  as  has  been 
our  march,  at  last  it  draws  to  a  close.  Yon- 
der we  behold  the  ruined  walls  of  Jerusa- 
lem, and  the  glistening  tents  of  our  breth- 
ren. Let  us  approach  the  Holy  Place 
with  fear  and  reverence,  and  endeavor  to 
make  ourselves  known  to  our  people. 


JTj  JTj  j 


EXODUS,  IV.,   i,  5. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  What 
is  that  in  thine  hand?  And  he  said,  A 
rod.     And  he  said,  Cast  it  on  the  ground  ; 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  75 

and  he  cast  it  on  the  ground,  and  it  became 
a  serpent ;  and  Moses  fled  from  before  it. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Put  forth 
thine  hand  and  take  it  by  the  tail.  And  he 
put  forth  his  hand  and  caught  it,  and  it  be- 
came a  rod  in  his  hand.  *        *        * 


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EXODUS,  IV.,  6, 

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And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Put  now 
thine  hand  into  thy  bosom  ;  and  he  put  his 
hand  into  his  bosom  ;  and  when  he  took  it 
out,  behold,  his  hand  was  leprous  as  snow. 
And  he  said,  Put  thine  hand  into  thy 
bosom  again  ;  and  he  put  his  hand  into  his 
bosom  again,  and  plucked  it  out  of  his  bo- 
som, and  behold,  it  was  turned  again  as  his 
other  flesh.     *       *        *       *       *        * 


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76  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


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EXODUS, 

TV., 

9- 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  If  they 
will  not  believe  these  two  signs,  neither 
hearken  unto  thy  voice,  thou  shaJt  take  of 
the  water  of  the  river,  and  pour  it  upon  the 
dry  land  ;  and  the  water  which  thou  takest 
out  of  the  river  shall  become  blood  upon 
the  dry  land.  *         *         *         * 


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Enter  this  the     *     *     into  the  presence 
of  the  Grand  Council. 


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HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


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78  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


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In  the  beginning  God  created  the  heavens 
and  the  earth.  And  the  earth  was  without 
form  and  void;  and  darkness  was  upon  the 
face  of  the  deep;  and  the  Spirit  of  God 
moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters.  And 
God  said,  Let  there  be  Light;  and  there 
was  light.      Genesis,  i.,  i,  3. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  79 

God  spake  these  words,  and  said : 
I. 

I  am  the  Lord  thy  God  :    Thou  shalt 
have  no  other  Gods  but  me. 

II. 

Thou  shalt  not  make  to  thyself  any 
graven  image,  nor  the  likeness  of  anything 
that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  in  the  earth 
beneath,  or  in  the  water  under  the  earth. 
Thou  shalt  not  bow  down  to  them,  nor 
worship  them :  for  I,  the  Lord  thy  God, 
am  a  jealous  God,  and  visit  the  sins  of  the 
fathers  upon  the  children,  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate 
me ;  and  show  mercy  unto  thousands  of 
them  that  love  me,  and  keep  my  com- 
mandments. 

III. 

Thou  shalt  not  take  the  Name  of  the 
Lord  thy  God  in  vain;  for  the  Lord  will 
not  hold  him  guiltless,  that  taketh  his 
Name  in  vain. 


80  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

IV. 

Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sab- 
bath day.  Six  days  shalt  thou  labor,  and 
do  all  that  thou  hast  to  do;  but  the  seventh 
day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God. 
In  it  thou  shalt  do  no  manner  of  work; 
thou,  and  thy  son,  and  thy  daughter,  thy 
man-servant,  and  thy  maid-servant,  thy 
cattle,  and  the  stranger  that  is  within  thy 
gates.  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made 
heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in 
them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day : 
wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  seventh 
day,  and  hallowed  it. 

V. 

Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that 
thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the 
Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee. 

VI. 

Thou  shalt  do  no  murder. 

VII. 

Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  81 

VIII. 

Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

IX. 

Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against 
thy  neighbor. 

X. 

Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's 
house  ;  thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's 
wife,  nor  his  servant,  nor  his  maid,  nor  his 
ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  anything  that  is  his. 

DEUTERONOMY,  XXXI,  24,  26. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Moses  had 
made  an  end  of  writing  the  words  of  this 
law  in  a  book,  until  they  were  finished, 
that  Moses  commanded  the  Levites  which 
bear  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant  of  the 
Lord,  saying,  Take  this  Book  of  the  Law, 
and  put  it  in  the  side  of  the  Ark  of  the 
Covenant  of  the  Lord  your  God,  that  it 
may  be  there  for  a  witness  against  thee.    * 


82  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

The  Book  of  the  Law  —  long  lost,  but 
now  found ;   Holiness  to  the  Lord. 


EXODUS,   XXV.,   21. 

And  thou  shalt  put  the  mercy  seat  above, 
upon  the  Ark  ;  and  in  the  Ark  thou  shalt 
put  the  Testimony  that  I  shall  give  thee. 

EXODUS,   XVI. ,  32,  34. 

And  Moses  said,  This  is  the  thing  which 
the  Lord  commandeth:  Fill  an  Omer  of  the 
Manna,  to  be  kept  for  your  generations; 
that  they  may  see  the  bread  wherewith  I 
have  fed  you  in  the  wilderness,  when  I 
brought  you  forth  from  the  land  of  Egypt. 
And  Moses  said  unto  Aaron,  Take  a  Pot, 
and  put  an  omer  full  of  manna  therein, 
and  lay  it  up  before  the  Lord,  to  be  kept 
for  your  generations.  As  the  Lord  com- 
manded Moses,  so  Aaron  laid  it  up  before 
the  testimony  to  be  kept.       *   -  *  ' /'*     * 


HAND-BOOK    OF   THE    CHAPTER.  83 

NUMBERS,  XVII.,   10. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Bring 
Aaron  s  rod  again  before  the  testimony,  to 
be  kept  for  a  token. 


*  :';:  *  *  * 

***** 


*  *  *  *  * 

*j»  *j»  «j»  5j»  •f* 


EXODUS  VI.,  2,  3. 

And  God  spoke  unto  Moses,  and  said 
unto  him,  I  am  the  Lord;  and  I  appeared 
unto  Abraham,  unto  Isaac,  and  unto  Jacob, 
by  the  name  of  God  Almighty;  but  by 
my  name  Jehovah  was  I  not  known  to 
them. 

****** 

JOHN  I.,  1,  5. 

In  the  beginning  was  the  Word  :  and 
the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word 


84  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

was  God.  The  same  was  in  the  beginning 
with  God.  All  things  were  made  by  him : 
and  without  him  was  not  anything  made 
that  was  made.  In  him  was  life,  and  the 
life  was  the  light  of  men.  And  the  light 
shineth  in  darkness,  and  the  darkness  com- 
prehendeth  it  not. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  •&.#• 

K.\  E.\ 

K.\  D.\ 

Companions: — You  will  permit  me  to 
express  the  hope  that  it  is  not  an  idle  or 
vain  curiosity,  that  merely  grasps  at  nov- 
elty, which  has  induced  you  to  receive  this 
sublime  degree  of  Masonry,  infinitely  more 
important  than  all  which  have  preceded  it. 
It  is  calculated  to  impress  upon  our  minds 
a  firm  belief  in  the  being  and  existence  of 
a  God;  and  it  teaches  a  due  reverence  for 
his  great  and  holy  Name. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  85 

It  also  brings  to  light  some  of  the  most 
important  secrets  of  the  Craft,  which  had 
laid  buried  in  darkness  from  the  death  of 
the  *  *  *  *  till  the  commencement 
of  the  erection  of  the  second  Temple  by 
Zerubbabel — a  period  of  four  hundred  and 
seventy  years — and  without  a  knowledge 
of  which  the  Masonic  character  is  not  com- 
plete; but  having  attained  to  this  degree, 
you  are  now  entitled  to  a  full  explanation 
of  the  Working  Tools  and  principal  Em- 
blems of  a  Royal  Arch  Mason. 

The  Working  Tools  are  the  Square 
and  Compass,  which  have  been  presented 
to  your  view  in  every  degree  of  Masonry 
through  which  you  have  passed.  The 
Square  teaches  us,  as  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
that  God  has  made  all  things  square, 
upright,  and  perfect.  The  Compass  is  an 
instrument  used  by  operative  Masons  to 
describe  Circles,  every  part  of  which  is 
equally  near  and  equally  distant  from  the 
center. 

The  Circle  is,  therefore,  a  striking  Em- 
blem of  the  relation  in  which  the  creature 
stands  to  his  Creator.     As  every  part  of 


86  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

the  circumference  of  a  Circle  is  equally 
near  and  equally  distant  from  its  center,  so 
is  every  creature,  whom  God  hath  made, 
to  him  equally  near  and  equally  distant. 

The  equilateral,  or  perfect  Triangle,  is 
an  Emblem  of  the  three  essential  attributes 
of  Deity,  namely :  Omnipotence,  Omni- 
science, and  Omnipresence  ;  and  as  the 
three  equal  legs  or  equal  angles  form  but 
one  triangle,  so  these  three  equal  attributes 
constitute  but  one  God. 

The  R.  .  A.-.  B.\ 

*  :•:  *  ♦  *  * 

*  #  #  *  *  * 

LECTURE   HISTORY. 

In  the   ceremonies   through  which 

you  have  passed  this  evening,  you  have 
been  caused  to  represent  two  distinct  sets 
of  characters.  In  the  first  part  of  our 
ceremonies  you  represented  three  of  those 
noble  Giblimites  who  wrought  long  at 
the  building  of  the  first  Temple,  were 
present  at  its  destruction  by  Nebuchadnez- 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  87 

/ 

zar,  and  carried  captive  to  Jeruoalcm,  where 
they  remained  servants  to  him  and  his  sons 
until  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  Cyrus, 
King  of  Persia,  by  whose  order  they  were 
liberated.  From  that  time  forward,  and  in 
the  remaining  portion  of  our  ceremonies, 
you  represented  the  descendants  of  those 
noble  Giblimites  returning  to  Jerusalem, 
under  the  proclamation  of  King  Cyrus,  to 
aid  and  assist  in  rebuilding  the  City  and 
House  of  the  Lord,  without  the  hope  of 
fee  or  reward.  And  as  the  principal  inci- 
dents of  this  degree  originated  at  the  re- 
building of  King  Solomon's  Temple,  a 
short  history  of  that  edifice  cannot  be  unin- 
teresting to  yoif  as  a  Royal  Arch  Mason. 

This  famous  fabric  was  situated  on  Mount 
Moriah,  near  the  place  where  Abraham 
was"*  about Jto  offer  up  his  son  Isaac,  and 
where  David  met  and  appeased  the  de- 
stroying angel,  who  was  visible  over  the 
threshing-floor  of  Oman  the  Jebusite.  It 
was  begun  in  the  fourth  year  of  the  reign  of 
Solomon  ;  the  third  after  the  death  of  Da- 
vid ;  four  hundred  and  eighty  years  after 
the  passage  of  the  Red  Sea,  and  on  the 


88  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

_       __  _ 

second  day  of  the  month  Zif,  being  the 
second  month  of  the  sacred  year,  which 
answers  to  the  twenty-first  of  April,  in  the 
year  of  the  world  two  thousand  nine  hund- 
red and  ninety -two  ;  and  was  carried  on 
with  such  prodigious  speed,  that  it  was 
finished,  in  all  its  parts,  in  little  more  than 
seven  years. 

By  the  Masonic  art,  and  the  wise  regu- 
lations of  Solomon,  this  famous  edifice  was 
erected  without  the  sound  of  the  axe,  ham- 
mer, or  any  tool  of  iron  ;  for  the  stones 
were  all  hewed,  squared,  and  numbered,  in 
the  quarries  of  Zeredathah,  where  they 
were  raised  ;  the  timbers  were  fitted  and 
prepared  in  the  forest  of  Lebanon,  and  con- 
veyed by  sea  in  floats  to  Joppa,  and  from 
thence  by  land  to  Jerusalem  ;  where  the 
fabric  was  erected  by  the  assistance  of 
wooden  instruments  prepared  for  that  pur- 
pose. And  when  the  building  was  finished, 
its  several  parts  fitted  with  that  exact  nice- 
ty that  it  had  more  the  appearance  of  being 
the  handiwork  of  the  Supreme  Architect 
of  the  Universe,  than  of  human  hands. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  89 

In  the  year  of  the  world  3029,  King  Sol- 
omon died,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son 
Rehoboam.  Soon  after  this,  instigated  and 
led  on  by  Jeroboam,  the  son  of  Nebat,  ten 
of  the  tribes  revolted  from  Rehoboam,  and 
set  up  a  separate  kingdom,  with  Jeroboam 
at  their  head.  In  this  manner  were  the 
tribes  of  Israel  divided,  and  under  two  dis- 
tinct governments,  for  two  hundred  and 
fifty-four  years.  The  ten  revolted  tribes 
became  weak  and  degenerated  ;  their  coun- 
try was  laid  waste,  and  their  government 
overthrown  and  extirpated  by  Salmanezer, 
King  of  Assyria.  After  a  series  of  changes 
and  events,  Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Bab- 
ylon, having  besieged  Jerusalem,  and  raised 
towers  all  around  the  city,  so  that,  after 
defending  it  for  the  space  of  a  year  and  a 
half,  it  was,  in  the  eleventh  year  of  the 
reign  of  Zedekiah,  King  of  Judah,  surren- 
dered and  delivered  at  midnight  to  the  of- 
ficers of  Nebuchadnezzar,  who  sacked  and 
destroyed  the  Temple,  and  took  away  all 
the  holy  vessels,  together  with  those  two 
famous  brazen  pillars  ;  and  the  remnant  of 
the  people  that  escaped  the  sword,  carried 


90  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

he  away  captives  to  Babylon,  where  they 
remained  servants  to  him  and  his  success- 
ors, until  the  reign  of  Cyrus,  King  of  Per- 
sia. Cyrus,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign, 
being  directed  by  that  divine  power  which 
invisibly  led  him  to  the  throne  of  Persia, 
issued  his  famous  edict  for  the  liberation  of 
the  Hebrew  captives,  with  permission  that 
they  should  return  to  their  native  country, 
and  rebuild  the  City  and  House  of  the 
Lord.  Accordingly,  the  principal  people 
of  the  tribes  of  Judah  and  Benjamin,  with 
the  Priests  and  Levites,  immediately  de- 
parted for  Jerusalem,  and  commenced  the 
great  and  glorious  work. 

REWARD. 

You  were  promised  that  your  zeal 

and  fidelity       *         *::         *  *         * 

should  not  go  unrewarded.  As  a  suitable 
reward  therefor,  I  now  appoint  you        * 

*  *  :I:  •       and  you  will  do 

well  to  qualify  yourselves  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  those  stations,  when  called  upon 
so  to  do. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  91 


ADDRESS. 

And  now,  my  Companions,  you  have 
received  all  the  instruction  that  pertains  to 
our  noble  Craft. 

You  have  ascended,  by  regular  grada- 
#ons,  to  the  summit  of  our  sublime  and 
Royal  Art. 

You  have  been  conducted  around  the 
outer  courts  of  the  temple,  viewed  its  beau- 
tiful proportions,  its  massive  pillars,  its 
starry-decked  canopy,  its  Mosaic  pave- 
ment, its  lights,  jewels,  and  furniture. 

You  have  been  introduced  into  the  Mid- 
dle Chamber,  and  learned,  by  the  example 
of  our  ancient  brethren,  to  reverence  the 
Sabbath  day  and  to  keep  it  holy. 

You  have  entered  the  unfinished  S.\  S.\, 
and  there,  in  the  integrity  and  inflexible 
fidelity  of  the  illustrious  Tyrian,  witnessed 
an  example  of  firmness  and  fortitude  never 
surpassed  in  the  history  of  man. 

You  have  wrought  in  the  quarries,  and 
exhibited  satisfactory  specimens  of  your 
skill,  and  have  been  taught  how  to  receive, 
in  a  proper  manner,  your  Masonic  wages. 


92  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

You  have  regularly  passed  the  chair,  and 
learned  its  important  duties;  a  knowledge 
of  which  can  alone  qualify  you  to  preside 
over  the  sons  of  light. 

You  have  been  present,  and  assisted  at 
the  completion  and  dedication  of  our  mys- 
tic temple ;  and  for  your  zeal  and  fidelity 
to  the  Craft,  have  received  the  congratula- 
tory title  of  Most  Excellent  Master. 

You  have  now  witnessed  the  mournful 
desolation  of  Zion,  the  sack  and  destruction 
of  the  City  and  Temple  of  God,  and  the 
utter  loss,  as  the  world  supposed,  of  all 
those  articles  contained  in  the  Holy  of 
Holies. 

You  have  seen  the  chosen  people  of 
God  forced  by  a  foreign  despot  from  the 
pleasant  groves  and  peaceful  vineyards  of 
their  native  Israel,  and  dragged  into  cap- 
tivity on  the  banks  of  the  far-off  Euphrates. 

But  you  have  seen  those  afflicted  sons 
of  Zion  visited,  in  the  darkest  night  of  their 
adversity,  by  a  peaceful  light  from  heaven, 
which  guided  them  over  rough  and  rugged 
roads  to  the  scene  of  their  former  glory. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  9d 

You  have  seen  them  enabled,  by  the  sig- 
net of  Eternal  Truth,  to  pass  the  vails  that 
interposed  between  them  and  their  fondest 
hopes. 

You  have  seen  them  successfully  engaged 
in  the  great  and  glorious  work  of  rebuilding 
the  House  of  the  Lord. 

And  finally,  you  have  seen  the  sacred 
treasures  of  the  first  temple  brought  to 
light,  and  the  blessed  book  restored  to  the 
longing  eyes  of  the  devout  Israelites,  to  be 
the  rule  and  guide — the  comfort  and  sup- 
port— of  the  people  of  God  throughout  all 
future  time. 

And,  my  companions,  if,  in  all  these 
things,  you  have  seen  only  a  series  of  un- 
meaning rites  —  if  the  spirit  of  truth  has 
not  applied  to  your  hearts  the  morals  of 
these  ceremonies  —  then,  indeed,  have  we 
labored  in  vain,  and  you  have  spent  your 
strength  for  nought. 

But  I  am  persuaded  to  believe  better 
things  of  you.  I  trust  that  you  have  en- 
tered into  the  spirit  of  these  solemn  cere- 
monies, and  understand  the  full  import  of 
these    interesting    symbols  ;     that    all    the 


94  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

forms  and  ceremonies  through  which  you 
have  passed,  from  the  moment  you  first 
trod  the  outer  courts  of  the  temple  until 
your  final  reception  within  the  vails,  have 
impressed  deeply  on  your  minds  the  great 
and  fundamental  principles  of  our  time- 
honored  Institution  :  for  then,  and  only  then, 
can  you  justly  claim  the  noble  name  of  Ma- 
son ;  then,  and  only  then,  can  you  feel 
that  friendship,  that  union,  that  zeal,  and 
that  purity  of  heart,  which  should  actuate 
every  one  who  would  appropriate  to  him- 
self the  proud  title  of  a  workman  that 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed. 

CHARGE.    , 

Worthy  Companions  :  By  the  consent 
and  assistance  of  the  members  of  this 
Chapter,  you  are  now  exalted  to  the  Sub- 
lime Degree  of  Royal  Arch  Mason.  The 
rites  and  mysteries  developed  in  this  de- 
gree, have  been  handed  down  through  a 
chosen  few,  unchanged  by  time,  and  uncon- 
trolled by  prejudice  ;  and  we  expect  and 
trust,  they  will  be  regarded  by  you  with 
the  same  veneration,  and  transmitted  with 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  95 

the  same  scrupulous  purity  to  your  succes- 
sors. 

No  one  can  reflect  on  tHe  ceremonies  of 
gaining  admission  into  this  place  without 
being  forcibly  struck  with  the  important 
lessons  which  they  teach.  Here  we  are 
necessarily  led  to  contemplate,  with  grati- 
tude and  admiration,  the  sacred  Source 
from  whence  all  earthly  comforts  flow. 
Here  we  find  additional  inducements  to 
continue  steadfast  and  immovable  in  the 
discharge  of  our  respective  duties  ;  and 
here  we  are  bound,  by  the  most  solemn 
ties,  to  promote  each  other's  welfare,  and 
correct  each  other's  failings,  by  advice, 
admonition,  and  reproof. 

As  it  is  our  earnest  desire,  and  a  duty  we 
owe  to  our  Companions  of  this  Order,  that 
the  admission  of  every  candidate  into  this 
Chapter,  should  be  attended  by  the  appro- 
bation of  the  most  scrutinizing  eye,  we 
hope  always  to  possess  the  satisfaction  of 
finding  none  among  us,  but  such  as  will 
promote,  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  the 
great  end  of  our  Institution.  By  paying 
due  attention  to  this  determination,  we  ex- 


96  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

pect  you  will  never  recommend  any  candi- 
date to  this  Chapter,  whose  abilities,  and 
knowledge  of  the  preceding  degrees,  you 
cannot  freely  vouch  for ;  and  whom  you 
do  not  firmly  and  confidently  believe,  will 
fully  conform  to  the  principles  of  our  Order, 
and  fulfill  the  obligations  of  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason.  While  such  are  our  members,  we 
may  expect  to  be  united  in  one  object, 
without  lukewarmness,  inattention  or  neg- 
lect ;  but  zeal,  fidelity  and  affection,  will  be 
the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  our  so- 
ciety, and  that  satisfaction,  harmony  and 
peace  may  be  enjoyed  at  our  meetings, 
which  no  other  society  can  afford.     ?     * 

CLOSING. 

0 

m 

it* 

PRAYER. 

By  the  Wisdom  of  the   Supreme   High 
Priest,    may   we    be    directed;     by    His 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  97 

Strength,  may  we  be  enabled  ;  and  by  the 
Beauty  of  virtue  may  we  be  incited,  to  per- 
form the  obligations  here  enjoined  on  us  ; 
to  keep  inviolably  the  mysteries  here  un- 
folded to  us,  and  invariably  to  practice  all 
those  duties  out  of  the  Chapter,  which  are 
inculcated  in  it.  Amen. 
Response  /So  mote  it  be, 


0  4  4     0  4  &     0 


r 

0 


CEREMONIES  OF  THE  ORDER. 


CONSTITUTING  AND  DEDICATING  A  NEW 
CHAPTER. 

i.  The  new  Chapter  will  meet  in  its  Hall,  and 
open  on  the  Royal  Arch  Degree. 

2.  The  Grand  Officers  will  meet  in  an  adjoining 
room,  and  on  being  notified  by  a  committee  of  the 
new  Chapter  that  its  members  are  ready  for  their  re- 
ception, they  will  proceed  to  the  Chapter  room,  where, 
being  received  by  the  new  Chapter  with  the  Grand 
Honors,  the  officers  of  the  new  Chapter  resign  their 
stations  to  the  Grand  Officers. 

3.  A  procession  is  then  formed  by  the  Grand  Cap- 
tain of  the  Host,  as  follows,  which  repairs  to  the 
church,  or  place  designated  for  the  performance  of  the 
ceremonies  : — 

Guard. 

Mark  Masters,  by  twos. 

Past  Masters,  by  twos. 

Most  Excellent  Masters,  by  twos. 

Royal  Arch  Masons,  triangularly,  two  in  front  and  one 

behind. 


100  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


75  Masters  of  First  and  Second  Vail. 

2  Master  of  Third  Vail. 

g  Royal  Arch  Captain,  Principal  Sojourner. 
g  Captain  of  the  Host. 

4*  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

tr. 

3  One  Companion  carrying  Pot  of  Incense. 
v  Four  Companions  carrying  the  Ark. 

*f    Three  Companions  carrying  lights,  triangularly. 

Scribe  and  King. 
•s  High  Priest. 

■4—1 

g-  Grand  Guard. 

^         Members  of  Grand  Chapter,  triangularly. 
g  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain. 

q  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer. 

Grand  Chaplain,  Orator. 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 
Grand  Scribe,  Grand  King. 
Grand  High  Priest. 


4.  On  arriving  at  the  church,  or  place  where  the 
ceremonies  are  to  be  performed,  the  procession  halts, 
faces  inwards,  and  the  Grand  Officers  and  others  pass 
through.  All  being  seated,  the  ceremonies  commence 
as  follows  : — 

5.  Anthem. 

6.  All  kneeling,  the  Grand  Chaplain  will  deliver 
the  following 

PRAYER. 

Almighty  and  Supreme  High  Priest  of 
Heaven   and    Earth !      Who    is   there    in 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  101 

heaven  but  thee !  and  who  upon  earth  can 
stand  in  competition  with  thee  !  Thy  Om- 
niscient mind  brings  all  things  in  review — 
past,  present,  and  to  come  ;  thine  Omnipo- 
tent arm  directs  the  movements  of  the 
vast  creation  ;  thine  Omnipresent  eye  per- 
vades the  secret  recesses  of  every  heart ; 
thy  boundless  beneficence  supplies  us  with 
every  comfort  and  enjoyment  ;  and  thine 
unspeakable  perfections  and  glory  surpass 
the  understanding  of  the  children  of  men  ! 
Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  we  invoke 
thy  benediction  upon  the  purposes  of  our 
present  assembly.  May  this  Chapter  be 
established  to  thine  honor  ;  may  its  officers 
be  endowed  with  wisdom  to  discern,  and 
fidelity  to  pursue,  its  true  interests  ;  and 
may  its  members  be  ever  mindful  of  the 
duty  they  owe  to  their  God,  the  obedience 
they  owe  to  their  superiors,  the  love  they 
owe  to  their  equals,  and  the  good  will  they 
owe  to  all  mankind. 

Glory  be  to  God  on  high. 

Response. — So  mote  it  be. — Amen. 
7.     Oration. 


102  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

8.  The  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host  will  then  form 
the  officers  of  the  new  Chapter  in  front  of  the  Grand 
High  Priest. 

9.  The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  then  arises, 
and,  addressing  the  Grand  High  Priest,  says  : — 

Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest, — A 
number  of  Companions,  duly  instructed  in 
the  sublime  mysteries,  being  desirous  of 
promoting  the  honor,  and  propagating  the 
principles  of  the  Art,  have  applied  to  the 
Grand  Chapter  for  a  Warrant  to  constitute 
a  new  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
which,  having  been  obtained,  they  are  now 
assembled  for  the  purpose  of  being  consti- 
tuted, and  having  their  officers  installed  in 
due  and  ancient  form. 

10.  The  Grand  High  Priest  directs  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary to  read  the  warrant,  which  is  done. 

11.  The  Grand  High  Priest  then  says  : — 

Companions,  do  you  still  approve  of  the 
officers  as  named  therein  ? 

12.  Being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  the  Grand 
High  Priest  rises,  and  says  : — 

By  virtue  of  the  high  power  in  me  vested, 
I  do  form  you,  my  respected  Companions, 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  103 

into  a  regular  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons. From  henceforth  you  are  author- 
ized and  empowered  to  open  and  hold  a 
Lodge  of  Mark  Masters,  Past  Masters, 
Most  Excellent  Masters,  and  a  Chapter  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  to  do  and  per- 
form all  such  things  as  may  thereunto  ap- 
pertain; conforming  in  all  your  doings  to 
the  Constitution  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  the  State  of  California.  And  may  the 
God  of  your  fathers  be  with  you,  guide, 
and  direct  you  in  all  your  doings. 

13.  The  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  and  the  furniture, 
clothing,  jewels,  and  implements  belonging  to  the 
Chapter,  (having  been  previously  placed  in  the  center, 
in  front  of  the  Grand  High  Priest,)  are  now  uncovered. 

DEDICATION. 

14.  The  Grand  Chaplain,  with  the  pot  of  incense 
in  his  hands,  says : — 

To  our  Most  Excellent  Patron  Zerubba- 
bel,  we  solemnly  dedicate  this  Chapter. 
May  the  blessing  of  our  Heavenly  High 
Priest  descend  and  rest  upon  its  members, 


104  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


and  may  their  felicity  be  immortal.     Glory- 
be  to  God  on  high. 

Response:  As  it  was  in  the  beginning, 
is  now,  and  ever  shall  be,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 

15.  Music,  or  ax  Ode. 

INSTALLATION.* 

16.  The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  then  presents 
the  High  Priest  of  the  (new)  Chapter  to  the  Grand 
High  Priest,  saying  : — 

Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest: 
I  present  you  my  worthy  Companion 


(nominated  in  the  warrant,)  to  be  installed 
High  Priest  of  this  (new)  Chapter.  I  find 
him  to  be  skillful  in  the  Royal  Art,  and 
attentive  to  the  moral  precepts  of  our  fore- 
fathers, and   have  therefore  no  doubt  but 

*The  installation  ceremony  as  here  given,  is  intended  to  be 
used  also  for  the  annual  installation  of  the  officers  of  Chapters  ; 
the  omission  of  the  words  in  paj'enthesis,  and  the  corresponding 
change  in  the  titles  of  officers,  only  being  necessary.  On  the 
night  appointed  for  the  installation,  the  Chapter  being  opened 
in  the  Royal  Arch  degree,  a  Past  High  Priest,  if  one  be  present, 
and  if  not,  some  other  officer  appointed  for  the  purpose,  presents 
the  High  Priest  elect  to  the  presiding  officer,  making  the  changes 
already  indicated. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  105 

he  will  discharge   the   duties  of  his   office 
with  fidelity. 

17.  The  Grand  High  Priest  having  enquired  for 
the  necessary  certificate  of  qualification,  examined  it, 
and  found  it  satisfactory,  addresses  him  as  follows  : — 

Most  Excellent  Companion:  I  feel 
much  satisfaction  in  performing  my  duty 
on  the  present  occasion,  by  installing  you 
into  the  office  of  High  Priest  of  this  Chap- 
ter. It  is  an  office  highly  honorable  to  all 
those  who  diligently  perform  the  important 
duties  annexed  to  it.  Your  reputed  Ma- 
sonic knowledge,  however,  precludes  the 
necessity  of  a  particular  enumeration  of 
those  duties.  I  shall  therefore  only  ob- 
serve, that  by  a  frequent  recurrence  to  the 
Constitution  and  General  Regulations,  and 
the  constant  practice  of  the  several  sublime 
lectures  and  charges,  you  will  be  best  able 
to  fulfill  them  ;  and  I  am  confident  that  the 
companions  who  are  chosen  to  preside  with 
you  will  give  strength  to  your  endeavors, 
and  support  to  your  exertions.  I  shall  now 
propose  certain  questions  to  you,  relative 
to  the  duties  of  your  office,  to  which  I  must 
request  your  unequivocal  answer. 


106  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

I.  Do  you  solemnly  promise  that  you 
will  redouble  your  endeavors  to  correct  the 
vices,  purify  the  morals,  and  promote  the 
happiness  of  those  of  your  brethren  who 
have  attained  to  this  sublime  degree  ? 

II.  That  you  will  never  suffer  your 
Chapter  to  be  opened,  unless  there  be  pres- 
ent nine  regular  Royal  Arch  Masons  ? 

III.  That  you  will  never  suffer  either 
more  or  less  than  three  brethren  to  be 
exalted  in  your  Chapter  at  one  and  the 
same  time  ? 

IV.  That  you  will  not  exalt  any  one  to 
this  degree  who  has  not  shown  a  charitable 
and  humane  disposition  ;  or  who  has  not 
made  a  considerable  proficiency  in  the  fore- 
going degrees  ? 

V.  That  you  will  promote  the  general 
good  of  our  Order,  and,  on  all  proper  occa- 
sions, be  ready  to  give  and  receive  instruc- 
tions, particularly  from  the  General  and 
State  Grand  Officers  ? 

VI.  That,  to  the  utmost  of  your  power, 
you  will  preserve  the  solemnities  of  our 
ceremonies,  and  behave  in  open  Chapter 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  107 

with  the  most  profound  respect  and  rever- 
ence, as  an  example  to  your  companions  ? 

VII.  That  you  will  not  acknowledge  or 
have  intercourse  with  any  Chapter  that  does 
not  work  under  a  constitutional  warrant  or 
dispensation  ? 

VIII.  That  you  will  not  admit  any  vis- 
itor into  your  Chapter  who  has  not  been 
exalted  in  a  Chapter  legally  constituted, 
without  his  first  being  formally  healed  ? 

IX.  That  you  will  observe  and  support 
such  by-laws  as  may  be  made  by  your 
Chapter,  in  conformity  to  the  General 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution  and  the 
General  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter  ? 

X.  That  you  will  pay  due  respect  and 
obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the  Gen- 
eral and  State  Grand  Officers,  particularly 
relating  to  the  several  lectures  and  charges, 
and  will  resign  the  chair  to  them,  severally, 
when  they  may  visit  your  Chapter? 

XI.  That  you  will  support  and  observe 
the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitu- 
tion, and  the  General  Regulations  of  the 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  under  whose 
authority  you  act  ? 


108  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

XII.  That  you  will  bind  your  successor 
in  office  to  the  observance  of  the  same 
rules  to  which  you  have  now  assented  ? 

Do  you  submit  to  all  these  things,  and 
do  you  promise  to  observe  and  practice 
them  faithfully  ? 

Answer,     I  do. 

Companions,  let  us  kneel  and  invoke  the 
blessing  of  Deity. 

1 8.  All  the  companions  kneel,  and  the  Grand 
Chaplain  repeats  the  following 

PRAYER. 

Most  Holy  and  Glorious  Lord  God,  the 
Great  High  Priest  of  heaven  and  earth  : 

We  approach  thee  with  reverence,  and 
implore  thy  blessing  upon  the  companion 
appointed  to  preside  over  this  (new)  assem- 
bly, and  now  prostrate  before  thee.  Fill 
his  heart  with  thy  fear,  that  his  tongue  and 
actions  may  pronounce  thy  glory.  Make 
him  steadfast  in  thy  service;  grant  him 
firmness  of  mind  ;  animate  his  heart,  and 
strengthen  his  endeavors.  May  he  teach 
thy  judgments  and  thy  laws;  and  may  the 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.         109 

incense  he  shall  put  before  thee,  upon  thine 
altar,  prove  an  acceptable  sacrifice  unto 
thee.  Bless  him,  O  Lord,  and  bless  the 
work  of  his  hands.  Accept  us  in  mercy  ; 
hear  thou  from  Heaven,  thy  dwelling-place, 
and  forgive  our  transgressions. 
/    Glory  be  to  God  on  high. 

Response:  As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is 
now,  and  ever  shall  be,  world  without  end. 
So  mote  it  be.     Amen. 

19.  The  Grand  High  Priest  will  then  administer 
the  following  obligation  to  the  High  Priest : — 

I,  ,  do  promise  and  swear  that  I  will 

serve  this  Chapter  as  High  Priest  for  the 
time  that  I  have  been  elected:  that  I  will 
perform  all  the  duties  appertaining  to  that 
office  to  the  best  of  my  abilities,  and  will 
support  and  maintain  the  Constitution  of 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  California,  and  that 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of  the 
United  States.     Amen. 

20.  The  Grand  High  Priest  will  then  cause  the 
High  Priest  to  be  invested  wiih  the  clothing  and  badges 
of  his  office,  and  will  address  him  as  follows: — 


110  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

Most  Excellent:  In  consequence  of 
your  cheerful  acquiescence  with  the  charges, 
which  you  have  heard  recited,  you  are 
qualified  for  installation  as  the  High  Priest 
of  this  Royal  Arch  Chapter;  and  it  is  in- 
cumbent upon  me,  on  this  occasion,  to 
point  out  some  of  the  particulars  appertain- 
ing to  your  office,  duty,  and  dignity. 

The  High  Priest  of  every  Chapter  has  it 
in  special  charge,  to  see  that  the  by-laws  of 
his  Chapter,  as  well  as  the  General  Grand 
Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and  all  the  regu- 
lations of  the  Grand  Chapter,  are  duly 
observed; — that  all  the  officers  of  his  Chap- 
ter perform  the  duties  of  their  respective 
offices  faithfully,  and  are  examples  of  dili- 
gence and  industry  to  their  Companions; — 
that  true  and  accurate  records  of  all  the 
proceedings  of  the  Chapter  are  kept  by  the 
Secretary; — that  the  Treasurer  keeps  and 
renders  exact  and  just  accounts  of  all  the 
moneys  and  other  property  belonging  to  the 
Chapter; — that  the  regular  returns  be  made 
annually  to  the  Grand  Chapter; — and  that 
the  annual  dues  to  the  Grand  Chapter  be 
regularly  and  punctually  paid.     He  has  the 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  Ill 

right  and  authority  of  calling  his  Chapter 
together  at  pleasure,  upon  any  emergency 
or  occurrence,  which  in  his  judgment  may 
require  their  meeting.  It  is  his  privilege 
and  duty,  together  with  the  King  and 
Scribe,  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Grand 
Chapter,  either  in  pecson  or  by  proxy;  and 
the  well-being  of  the  institution  requires 
that  this  duty  should  on  no  occasion  be 
omitted. 

The  office  of  High  Priest  is  a  station 
highly  honorable  to  all  those  who  dili- 
gently perform  the  important  duties  an- 
nexed to  it.  By  a  frequent  recurrence  to 
the  constitutions  and  general  regulations, 
and  a  constant  practice  of  the  several  sub- 
lime Lectures  and  Charges,  you  will  be 
best  enabled  to  fulfill  those  duties  ;  and  I 
am  confident  that  the  Companions  who 
are  chosen  to  preside  with  you,  will  give 
strength  to  your  endeavors,  and  support  to 
your  exertions. 

Let  the  Mitre  with  which  you  are  in- 
vested, remind  you  of  the  dignity  of  the 
office  you  sustain,  and  its  inscription  im- 
press   upon   your   mind   a   sense  of  your 


112  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

dependence  upon  God; — that  perfection  is 
not  given  unto  man  upon  earth,  and  that 
perfect  holiness  belongeth  alone  unto  the 
Lord. 

The  Breast-Plate,  with  which  you  are 
decorated,  in  imitation  of  that  upon  which 
were  engraven  the  names  of  the  twelve 
tribes,  and  worn  by  the  High  Priest  of 
Israel,  is  to  teach  you  that  you  are  always 
to  bear  in  mind  your  responsibility  to  the 
laws  and  ordinances  of  the  institution,  and 
that  the  honor  and  interests  of  your  Chap- 
ter and  its  members,  should  be  always  near 
your  heart. 

The  various  colors  of  the  Robes  you  wear, 
are  emblematical  of  every  grace  and  virtue 
which  can  adorn  and  beautify  the  mind  ; 
each  of  which  will  be  briefly  illustrated  in 
the  course  of  the  charges  to  be  delivered 
to  your  subordinate  officers. 

I  now  deliver  into  your  hands  the  Char- 
ter under  which  you  are  to  work.  You 
will  receive  it  as  a  sacred  deposit,  and 
never  permit  it  to  be  used  for  any  other 
purposes  than  those  expressed  in  it. 

I  present  you  with  the  Book  of  the  Law, 


HAND-BOOK    OF   THE    CHAPTER.  113 

the  great  Light  in  every  degree  of  Ma- 
sonry. The  doctrines  contained  in  this 
sacred  volume  create  in  us  a  belief  in  the 
dispensations  of  Divine  Providence,  which 
belief  strengthens  our  Faith,  and  enables 
us  to  ascend  the  first  step  of  the  Grand 
Masonic  Ladder.  This  faith  naturally  pro- 
duces in  us  a  Hope  of  becoming  partakers 
of  the  promises  expressed  in  this  inestima- 
ble gift  of  God  to  man ;  which  hope  ena- 
bles us  to  ascend  the  second  step.  But  the 
third  and  last  being  Charity,  comprehends 
the  former,  and  will  continue  to  exert  its 
influence,  when  Faith  shall  be  lost  in  sight, 
and  Hope  in  complete  enjoyment. 

I  present  you  with  the  Constitution  of 
the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  ; 
the  Rules  and  Regulatio?ts  of  the  Grand 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  this  State ;  and 
also  with  the  By-Laws  of  your  Chapter. 
You  will  cause  all  these  to  be  frequently 
read  and  punctually  obeyed. 

And  now,  Most  Excellent,  permit  me,  in 
behalf  of  the  Craft  here  assembled,  to  offer 
you  our  most  sincere  congratulations  on 
your  accession  to  the  honorable  station  you 


114  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

now  fill.  1  doubt  not  you  will  govern  with 
such  order  and  regularity  as  to  convince 
your  companions  that  their  partiality  has 
not  been  misplaced. 

Companions    of Chapter, — Behold 

your  High  Priest.  [They  rise  and  bow,  or, 
if  the  Installation  be  not  public,  salute  him 
with  the  honors  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry?^ 
Recollect  that  the  prosperity  of  your  Chap- 
ter will  as  much  depend  on  your  support, 
assistance  and  obedience,  as  on  his  assidu- 
ity, information  and  wisdom. 

You  will  now  take  charge  of  your  officers, 
standing  upon  their  right,  and  present  them 
severally  in  succession  to  the  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priest,  by  whom  they  will  be  pre- 
sented to  me  for  installation. 

21.  The  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  will  then 
present  each  of  his  officers  in  succession  to  the  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  who  will  present  the  officer  to  the 
Grand  High  Priest,  in  the  words  already  used  in 
presenting  the  High  Priest,  making  the  necessary 
variation  for  the  office.  The  Grand  High  Priest  will 
administer  an  obligation  similar  to  that  administered 
to  the  High  Priest,  and  after  investing  each  officer 
with  his  clothing  and  badges,  he  will  address  him  as 
follows : — 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  115 


CHARGE  TO  THE  KING. 

Excellent  Companion:  The  important 
station  to  which  you  are  elected  in  this 
Chapter,  requires  from  you  exemplary  con- 
duct ;  its  duties  demand  your  most  assidu- 
ous attention ;  you  are  to  second  and  sup- 
port your  chief  in  all  the  requirements  of 
his  office ;  and  should  casualties  at  any 
time  prevent  his  attendance,  you  are  to 
succeed  him  in  the  performance  of  his 
duties. 

Your  badge  (the  Level  surmounted  by  a 
Crown)  should  remind  you  that  although 
you  are  the  representative  of  a  King,  and  ex- 
alted by  office  above  your  Companions,  yet 
that  you  remain  upon  a  level  with  them,  as 
respects  your  duty  to  God,  to  your  neigh- 
bor, and  to  yourself;  that  you  are  equally 
bound  with  them,  to  be  obedient  to  the 
laws  and  ordinances  of  the  institution ;  to 
be  charitable,  humane,  and  just,  and  to  seek 
every  occasion  of  doing  good. 

Your  office  teaches  a  striking  lesson  of 
humility.     The  institutions  of  political  so- 


116  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

ciety  teach  us  to  consider  the  king  as  the 
chief  of  created  beings,  and  that  the  first 
duty  of  his  subjects  is  to  obey  his  man- 
dates : — but  the  institutions  of  our  sublime 
degrees,  by  placing  the  King  in  a  situation 
subordinate  to  the  High  Priest,  teach  us 
that  our  duty  to  God  is  paramount  to  all 
other  duties,  and  should  ever  claim  the 
priority  of  our  obedience  to  man  ;  and  that 
however  strongly  we  may  be  bound  to 
obey  the  laws  of  civil  society,  yet  that 
those  laws,  to  be  just,  should  never  inter- 
meddle with  matters  of  conscience,  nor  dic- 
tate articles  of  faith. 

The  Scarlet  Robe,  an  emblem  of  imperial 
dignity,  should  remind  you  of  the  paternal 
concern  you  should  ever  feel  for  the  wel- 
fare of  your  Chapter,  and  the  fervency  and 
zeal  with  which  you  should  endeavor  to 
promote  its  prosperity. 

In  presenting  to  you  the  Crown,  which 
is  an  emblem  of  royalty,  I  would  remind 
you,  that  to  reign  sovereign  in  the  hearts 
and  affections  of  men,  must  be  far  more 
grateful  to  a  generous  and  benevolent  mind 
than  to  rule  over  their  lives  and  fortunes; 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.         117 


and  that  to  enable  you  to  enjoy  this  pre- 
eminence with  honor  and  satisfaction,  you 
must  subject  your  own  passions  and  preju- 
dices to  the  dominion  of  reason  and  charity. 
You  are  entitled  to  the  second  seat  in 
the  council  of  your  companions.  Let  the 
bright  example  of  your  illustrious  predeces- 
sor in  the  Grand  Council  at  Jerusalem,  stim- 
ulate you  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  your 
duties;  and  when  the  King  of  Kings  shall 
summon  you  into  his  immediate  presence, 
from  his  hand  may  you  receive  a  crozvn  of 
glory,  which  shall  never  fade  away. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  SCRIBE. 

Excellent  Companion  :  The  office  of 
Scribe,  to  which  you  are  elected,  is  very  - 
important  and  respectable.  In  the  absence 
of  your  superior  officers,  you  are  bound  to 
succeed  them,  and  to  perform  their  duties. 
The  purposes  of  the  institution  ought  never 
to  suffer  for  want  of  intelligence  in  its 
proper  officers;  you  will  therefore  perceive 
the  necessity  there  is  of  your  possessing 
such  qualifications  as  will  enable  you  to 
accomplish  those  duties  which  are  incum- 


118  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

bent  upon  you,  in  your  appropriate  station, 
as  well  as  those  which  may  occasionally 
devolve  on  you,  by  the  absence  of  your 
superiors. 

The  Purple  Robe,  with  which  you  are 
invested,  is  an  emblem  of  union,  and  is  cal- 
culated to  remind  you  that  the  harmony 
and  unanimity  of  the  Chapter  should  be 
your  constant  aim ;  and  to  this  end  you  are 
studiously  to  avoid  all  occasions  of  giving 
offence,  or  countenancing  anything  that 
may  create  divisions  or  dissensions.  You 
are,  by  all  means  in  your  power,  to  en- 
deavor to  establish  a  permanent  union  and 
good  understanding  among  all  orders  and 
degrees  of  Masonry;  and  as  the  glorious 
sun,  at  its  meridian  height,  dispels  the  mists 
and  clouds  which  obscure  the  horizon,  so 
may  your  exertions  tend  to  dissipate  the 
gloom  of  jealousy  and  discord,  whenever 
they  may  appear. 

Your  badge  (a  Plumb-rule  surmottnted 
by  the  Turban)  is  an  emblem  of  rectitude 
and  vigilance  ;  and  while  you  stand  as  a 
watchman  on  the  tower,  to  guard  your 
Companions  against  the  approach  of  those 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  119 

enemies  of  human  felicity,  intemperance 
and  excess,  let  this  faithful  monitor  ever 
remind  you  to  walk  uprightly  in  your  sta- 
tion ;  admonishing  and  animating  your 
Companions  to  fidelity  and  industry  while 
at  labor,  and  to  temperance  and  modera- 
tion while  at  refreshment.  And  when  the 
Great  Watchman  of  Israel,  whose  eye  never 
slumbers  or  sleeps,  shall  relieve  you  from 
your  post  on  earth,  may  he  permit  you  in 
heaven  to  participate  in  that  food  and  re- 
freshment which  is 

"  Such  as  the  saints  in  glory  love, 
And  such  as  angels  eat." 

CHARGE  TO  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  HOST. 

Companion  :  The  office  with  which  you 
are  entrusted  is  of  high  importance,  and 
demands  your  most  zealous  consideration. 
The  preservation  of  the  most  essential 
traits  of  our  ancient  customs,  usages,  and 
landmarks  are  within  your  province ;  and 
it  is  indispensably  necessary,  that  the  part 
assigned  to  you,  in  the  immediate  practice 
of  our  rites  and  ceremonies,  should  be  per- 


120  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

fectly   understood   and    correctly  adminis- 
tered. 

Your  office  corresponds  with  that  of 
Marshal,  or  Master  of  Ceremonies.  You 
are  to  superintend  all  processions  of  your 
Chapter,  when  moving  as  a  distinct  body, 
either  in  public  or  private;  and  as  the  world 
can  only  judge  of  our  private  discipline  by 
our  public  deportment,  you  will  be  careful 
that  the  utmost  order  and  decorum  be  ob- 
served on  all  such  occasions.  You  will 
ever  be  attentive  to  the  commands  of  your 
chief,  and  always  near  at  hand  to  see  them 
duly  executed.  I  invest  you  with  the  badge 
of  your  office,  and  presume  that  you  will 
give  to  your  duties  all  that  study  and  at- 
tention which  their  importance  demands. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  PRINCIPAL  SOJOURNER. 

Companion  :  The  office  confided  to  you, 
though  subordinate  in  degree,  is  equal  in 
importance  to  any  in  the  Chapter,  that  of 
your  chief  alone  excepted.  Your  office 
corresponds  with  that  of  Senior  Deacon,  in 
the  preparatory  degrees.  Among  the  du- 
ties  required   of  you,  the   preparation  and 


HAND-BOOK    OF   THE    CHAPTER.  121 

introduction  of  candidates  are  not  the  least. 
As  in  our  intercourse  with  the  world,  expe- 
rience teaches  that  first  impressions  are 
often  the  most  durable,  and  the  most  diffi- 
cult to  eradicate  ;  so  it  is  of  great  import- 
ance, in  all  cases,  that  those  impressions 
should  be  correct  and  just ;  hence  it  is  es- 
sential that  the  officer,  who  brings  the  blind 
by  a  way  they  knew  not,  and  leads  them 
in  paths  that  they  have  not  known,  should 
always  be  well  qualified  to  make  darkness 
light  before  them,  and  crooked  things 
straight. 

V  Your  role  of  office  is  an  emblem  of  hu- 
mility, and  teaches  that  in  the  prosecution 
of  a  laudable  undertaking,  we  should  never 
decline  taking  any  part  that  may  be  as- 
signed us,  although  it  may  be  the  most  dif- 
ficult or  dangerous. 

The  rose-colored  tessdated  Border,  adorning 
the  robe,  is  an  emblem  of  ardor  and  perse- 
verance, and  signifies  that  when  we  have 
engaged  in  a  virtuous  course,  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  impediments,  hardships,  and  tri- 
als, we  may  be  destined  to  encounter,  we 
should  endure  them  all  with  fortitude,  and 


122  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


ardently  persevere  unto  the  end  ;  resting 
assured  of  receiving,  at  the  termination  of 
our  labors,  a  noble  and  glorious  reward. 
Your  past  exertions  will  be  considered  as 
a  pledge  of  your  future  assiduity  in  the 
faithful  discharge  of  your  duties. 

CHARGE  TO  THE   ROYAL  ARCH   CAPTAIN. 

Companion  :  The  well  known  duties  of 
your  station  require  but  little  elucidation. 
Your  office  in  the  preparatory  degrees  cor- 
responds with  that  of  Junior  Deacon.  It 
is  your  province  conjointly  with  the  Captain 
of  the  Host,  to  attend  the  examination  of 
all  visitors,  and  to  take  care  that  none  are 
permitted  to  enter  the  Chapter,  but  such  as 
have  traveled  the  rugged  path  of  trial,  and 
evinced  their  title  to  our  favor  and  friend- 
ship. You  will  be  attentive  to  obey  the 
commands  of  the  Captain  of  the  Host,  dur- 
ing the  introduction  of  strangers  among  the 
workmen  ;  so  that  should  they  be  permitted 
to  pass  your  post,  they  may  by  him  be 
introduced  into  the  presence  of  the  Grand 
Council. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  123 

The  White  Banner,  entrusted  to  your  care, 
is  emblematical  of  that  purity  of  heart  and 
rectitude  of  conduct,  which  ought  to  actuate 
all  those  who  pass  the  white  vail  of  the 
sanctuary.  I  give  it  to  you  strongly  in 
charge,  never  to  suffer  any  one  to  pass 
your  post,  without  the  signet  of  truth. 

I  present  you  the  badge  of  your  office, 
in  expectation  of  you  performing  your  du- 
ties with  intelligence,  assiduity,  and  pro- 
priety. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  GRAND  MASTER  OF  THE 
THIRD  VAIL. 

Companion  :  I  present  you  with  the  Scar- 
let Banner,  which  is  the  ensign  of  your  office, 
and  with  a  sword  to  protect  and  defend  the 
same.  The  rich  and  beautiful  color  of 
your  banner  is  emblematical  of fervency  and 
zeal;  it  is  the  appropriate  color  of  the  Royal 
Arch  Degree.  It  admonishes  us  that  we 
should  be  fervent  in  the  exercise  of  our 
devotions  to  God,  and  zealous  in  our  en- 
deavors to  promote  the  happiness  of  man. 


124  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


CHARGE  TO  THE  GRAND  MASTER  OF  THE 
SECOND  VAIL. 

Companion:  I  invest  you  with  the  Purple 
Banner,  which  is  the  ensign  of  your  office, 
and  arm  you  with  a  sword,  to  enable  you 
to  maintain  its  honor. 

The  color  of  your  banner  is  produced  by 
a  due  mixture  of  blue  and  scarlet;  the  former 
of  which  is  the  characteristic  color  of  the 
symbolic  or  first  three  degrees  of  Masonry,  and 
the  latter,  that  of  the  Royal  Arch  Degree. 
It  is  an  emblem  of  union,  and  is  the  charac- 
teristic color  of  the  intermediate  degrees. 
It  admonishes  us  to  cultivate  and  improve 
that  spirit  of  union  and  harmony,  between 
the  brethren  of  the  symbolic  degrees  and 
the  Companions  of  the  sublime  degrees, 
which  should  ever  distinguish  the  members 
of  a  society  founded  upon  the  principles 
of  everlasting  truth  and  universal  philan- 
thropy. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  GRAND  MASTER  OF  THE 
FIRST  VAIL. 

Companion  :  I  invest  you  with  the  Blue 
Banner,  which  is  the  ensign  of  your  office, 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.         125 

and  a  Sword  for  its  defence  and  protection. 
The  color  of  your  banner  is  one  of  the. 
most  durable  and  beautiful  in  nature.  It  is 
the  appropriate  color  adopted  and  worn  by 
our  ancient  brethren  of  the  three  symbolic 
degrees,  and  is  the  peculiar  characteristic  of 
an  Institution  which  has  stood  the  test  of 
ages,  and  which  is  as  much  distinguished 
by  the  durability  of  its  materials  or  princi- 
ples, as  by  the  beauty  of  its  superstructure. 
It  is  an  emblem  of  universal  friendship  and 
benevolence ;  and  instructs  us,  that,  in  the 
mind  of  a  Mason,  those  virtues  should  be 
as  expansive  as  the  blue  arch  of  heaven  it- 
self. 

CHARGE   TO   THE   GRAND    MASTERS    OF 
THE   VAILS,  AS   OVERSEERS. 

Companions  :  Those  who  are  placed  as 
Overseers  of  any  work  should  be  well 
qualified  to  judge  of  its  beauties  and  de- 
fects. They  should  be  capable  of  estimat- 
ing the  former,  and  amending  the  latter. 
This  consideration  should  induce  you  to 
cultivate  and  improve  all  those  qualifica- 
tions with  which  you  are  already  endowed, 
as  well  as  to  persevere  in  your  endeavors 


126  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

to  acquire  those  in  which  you  are  deficient. 
Let  the  various  colors  of  the  banners  com- 
mitted to  your  charge  admonish  you  to  the 
exercise  of  the  several  virtues  of  which 
they  are  emblematic,  and  you  are  to  enjoin 
the  practice  of  those  virtues  upon  all  who 
shall  present  themselves,  or  the  work  of 
their  hands,  for  yonr  inspection.  Let  no 
work  receive  your  approbation  but  such  as 
is  calculated  to  adorn  and  strengthen  the 
Masonic  edifice.  Be  industrious  and  faith- 
ful in  practising  and  disseminating  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  true  and  perfect  work,  which 
alone  can  stand  the  test  of  the  Grand  Over- 
seer s  Square,  in  the  great  day  of  trial  and 
retribution.  Then,  although  every  rod 
should  become  a  serpent,  and  every  serpent 
an  enemy  to  tnis  Institution,  yet  shall  their 
utmost  exertions  to  destroy  its  reputation 
or  sap  its  foundation,  become  as  impotent 
as  the  leprous  hand,  or  as  water  spilled  upon 
the  ground,  which  cannot  be  gathered  up 
again. 

CHARGE   TO   THE    TREASURER. 

Companion  :    You  are  elected  Treasurer 
of  this  Chapter,  and  I  have  the  pleasure  of 


HAND-BOOK    OF   THE    CHAPTER.  127 


investing  you  with  the  badge  of  your  of- 
fice. The  qualities  which  should  recom- 
mend a  Treasurer  are  accuracy  and  fidelity  : 
accuracy  in  keeping  a  fair  and  minute  ac- 
count of  all  receipts  and  disbursements  ; 
fidelity,  in  carefully  preserving  all  the  prop- 
erty and  funds  of  the  Chapter  that  may  be 
placed  in  his  hands,  and  rendering  a  just 
account  of  the  same,  whenever  he  is  called 
upon  for  that  purpose.  I  presume  that 
your  respect  for  the  Institution,  your  at- 
tachment to  the  interests  of  your  Chapter, 
and  your  regard  for  a  good  name,  which  is 
better  than  precious  ointment,  will  prompt 
you  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  your  office. 

CHARGE   TO    THE   SECRETARY. 

Companion  :  I  with  pleasure  invest  you 
with  your  badge  as  Secretary  of  this  Chap- 
ter. The  qualities  which  should  recom- 
mend a  Secretary  are  promptitude  in  issuing 
the  notifications  and  orders  of  his  superior 
officers,  punctuality  in  attending  the  Convo- 
cations of  the  Chapter,  correctness  in  record- 
ing their  proceedings,  judgment  in  discrimi- 


128  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

nating  between  what  is  proper  and  what  is 
improper  to  be  committed  to  writing,  regu- 
larity in  making  his  annual  returns  to  the 
Grand  Chapter,  inteyrity  in  accounting  for 
all  moneys  that  may  pass  through  his 
hands,  and  fidelity  in  paying  the  same  over 
into  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer.  The  pos- 
session of  these  good  qualities,  I  presume, 
has  designated  you  as  a  suitable  candidate 
for  this  important  office  ;  and  I  cannot  en- 
tertain a  doubt  that  you  will  discharge  its 
duties  beneficially  to  the  Chapter,  and  hon- 
orably to  yourself.  And  when  you  shall 
have  completed  the  record  of  your  trans- 
actions here  below,  and  finished  the  term 
of  your  probation,  may  you  be  admitted 
into  the  celestial  Grand  Chapter  of  saints 
and  angels,  and  find  your  name  recorded 
in  the  book  of  life  eternal. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  CHAPLAIN. 

E.  and  Rev.  Companion:  You  are  ap- 
pointed Chaplain  of  this  Chapter;  and  I 
now  invest  you  with  this  circular  jewel,  the 
badge  of  your  office.  It  is  emblematical 
of  etermity,  and  reminds  us  that  here  is  not 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  129 

our  abiding  place.  Your  inclination  will 
undoubtedly  conspire  with  your  duty,  when 
you  perform  in  the  Chapter  those  solemn 
services  which  created  beings  should  con- 
stantly render  to  their  infinite  Creator,  and 
which,  when  offered  by  one  whose  holy 
profession  is  "to  point  to  heaven,  and  lead 
the  way,"  may,  by  refining  our  morals, 
strengthening  our  virtues,  and  purifying 
our  minds,  prepare  us  for  admission  into 
the  society  of  those  above,  whose  happi- 
ness will  be  as  endless  as  it  is  perfect. 

CRAMPTON  ACCJJssiON 

CHARGE  TO  THE  GUARD.  Bancroft  liJ 
Companion  :  You  are  appointed  Guard 
of  this  Chapter,  and  I  invest  you  with  the 
badge,  and  this  implement  of  your  office. 
As  the  sword  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Guard,  to  enable  him  effectually  to  resist 
the  approach  of  all  cowans  and  eavesdroppers, 
and  suffer  none  to  pass  or  repass  but  such 
as  are  duly  qualified;  so  it  should  morally 
serve  as  a  constant  admonition  to  us  to  set 
a  guard  at  the  entrance  of  our  thoughts;  to 
place  a  watch  at  the  door  of  our  lips ;  to 
post  a  sentinel  at  the  avenue  of  our  ac- 


130  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

tions  ;  thereby  excluding  every  unqualified 
and  unworthy  thought,  word,  and  deed  ; 
and  preserving  consciences  void  of  offense 
towards  God  and  towards  man. 

As  the  first  application  from  visitors  for 
admission  into  the  Chapter  is  generally 
made  to  the  Guard  at  the  door,  your  sta- 
tion will  often  present  you  to  the  observa- 
tion of  strangers  ;  it  is,  therefore,  essen- 
tially necessary  that  he  who  sustains  the 
office  with  which  you  are  entrusted,  should 
be  a  man  of  good  morals,  steady  habits, 
strict  discipline,  temperate,  affable,  and]dis- 
creet.  I  trust  that  a  just  regard  for  the 
honor  and  reputation  of  the  institution, 
will  ever  induce  you  to  perform  with  fidel- 
ity the  trust  reposed  in  you  ;  and  when  the 
door  of  this  earthly  tabernacle  shall  be 
closed,  may  you  find  an  abundant  entrance 
through  the  gates  into  the  temple  and  city 
of  our  God. 

ADDRESS   TO   THE    HIGH    PRIEST. 

M.\  E.\  Companion  :  Having  been  hon- 
ored with  the  free  suffrages  of  the  mem- 
bers of  this  Chapter,   you  are  elected  to 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  131 

the  most  important  office  which  it  is  within 
their  power  to  bestow.  This  expression 
of  their  esteem  and  respect  should  draw 
from  you  corresponding  sensations  ;  and 
your  demeanor  should  be  such  as  to  repay 
the  honor  they  have  so  conspicuously  con- 
ferred upon  you,  by  an  honorable  and  faith- 
ful discharge  of  your  duties.  The  station 
you  are  called  to  fill  is  important,  not 
only  as  it  respects  the  correct  practice  of 
our  rites  and  ceremonies,  and  the  internal 
economy  of  the  Chapter  over  which  you 
preside,  but  the  public  reputation  of  the 
Institution  will  be  generally  found  to  rise 
or  fall  according  to  the  skill,  fidelity,  and 
discretion  with  which  its  concerns  are  man- 
aged, and  in  proportion  as  the  characters 
and  conduct  of  its  principal  officers  are  es- 
timable or  censurable. 

You  have  accepted  a  trust,  to  which  is 
attached  a  weight  of  responsibility  that  will 
require  all  your  efforts  to  discharge  honor- 
ably to  yourself  and  satisfactorily  to  the 
Chapter.  You  are  to  see  that  your  offi- 
cers are  capable  and  faithful  in  the  exer- 
cise  of   their  offices.      Should   they  lack 


132  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

ability,  you  are  expected  to  supply  their 
defects  :  you  are  to  watch  carefully  the 
progress  of  their  performances,  and  to  see 
that  the  long-established  customs  of  the 
Institution  suffer  no  derangement  in  their 
hands.  You  are  to  have  a  careful  eye  over 
the  general  conduct  of  the  Chapter;  see 
that  due  order  and  subordination  are  ob- 
served on  all  occasions  ;  that  the  members 
are  properly  instructed  ;  that  due  solemnity 
be  observed  in  the  practice  of  our  rites ; 
that  no  improper  levity  be  permitted  at  any 
time,  but  more  especially  at  the  introduction 
of  strangers  among  the  workmen. 

In  fine,  you  are  to  be  an  example  to  your 
officers  and  members,  which  they  need  not 
hesitate  to  follow ;  thus  securing  to  your- 
self the  favor  of  heaven,  and  the  applause 
of  your  brethren  and  companions. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  OFFICERS  GENERALLY. 

Companions  in  Office  :  Precept  and  ex- 
ample should  ever  advance  with  equal  pace. 
Those  moral  duties  which  you  are  required 
to  teach  unto  others,  you  should  never 
neglect  to  practice  yourselves. 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.         133 

Do  you  desire  that  the  demeanor  of  your 
equals  and  inferiors  towards  you  should  he 
marked  with  deference  and  respect  ?  Be 
sure  that  you  omit  no  opportunity  of  fur- 
nishing them  with  examples  in  your  own 
conduct  towards  your  superiors.  Do  you 
desire  to  obtain  instruction  from  those  who 
are  more  wise  or  better  informed  than  your- 
selves ?  Be  sure  that  you  are  always  ready 
to  impart  of  your  knowledge  to  those  with- 
in your  sphere  who  stand  in  need  of,  and 
are  entitled  to  receive  it.  Do  you  desire 
distinction  among  your  companions?  Be 
sure  that  your  claims  to  preferment  are 
founded  upon  superior  attainments  ;  let  no 
ambitious  passion  be  suffered  to  induce  you 
to  envy  or  supplant  a  companion  who  may 
be  considered  as  better  qualified  for  promo- 
tion than  yourselves;  but  rather  let  a  laud- 
able emulation  induce  you  to  strive  to 
excel  each  other  in  improvement  and  dis- 
cipline ;  ever  remembering  that  he  who 
faithfully  performs  his  duty,  even  in  a  sub- 
ordinate or  private  station,  is  as  justly 
entitled  to  esteem  and  respect  as  he  who  is 
invested  with  supreme  authority. 

Bancroft  Library 


134  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHAPTER  AT  LARGE. 

Companions  :  The  exercise  and  manage- 
ment of  the  sublime  degrees  of  Masonry  in 
your  Chapter  hitherto  are  so  highly  appre- 
ciated, and  the  good  reputation  of  the 
Chapter  so  well  established,  that  I  must 
presume  these  considerations  alone,  were 
there  no  others  of  greater  magnitude,  would 
be  sufficient  to  induce  you  to  preserve  and 
perpetuate  this  valuable  and  honorable  char- 
acter. But  when  to  these  is  added  the 
pleasure  which  every  philanthropic  heart 
must  feel  in  doing  good,  in  promoting  good 
order,  in  diffusing  light  and  knowledge,  in 
cultivating  Masonic  and  Christian  charity, 
which  are  the  great  objects  of  this  sublime 
Institution,  I  cannot  doubt  that  your  future 
conduct,  and  that  of  your  successors,  will  be 
calculated  still  to  increase  the  lustre  of  your 
justly  esteemed  reputation. 

May  your  Chapter  become  beautiful  as  the 
Temple,  peaceful  as  the  Ark,  and  sacred  as 
its  most  holy  place.  May  your  oblations  of 
piety  and  praise  be  grateful  as  the  Incense  ; 
your  love  warm  as  its  flame,  and  your  char- 


HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER.  135 

ity  diffusive  as  its  fragrance.  May  your 
hearts  be  pure  as  the  Altar,  and  your  con- 
duct acceptable  as  the  Offering.  May  the 
exercise  of  your  Charity  be  as  constant  as 
the  returning  wants  of  the  distressed  ividow 
and  helpless  orphan.  May  the  approbation 
of  Heaven  be  your  encouragement,  and 
the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience  your 
support  ;  may  you  be  endowed  with  every 
good  and  perfect  gift,  while  traveling  the 
rugged  path  of  life,  and  finally  be  admitted 
within  the  vail  of  heaven,  to  the  full  enjoy- 
ment of  life  eternal.     So  mote  it  be.    Amen. 

22.  The  officers  and  members  of  the  Chapter  will 
then  pass  in  review  in  front  of  the  Grand  Officers,  with 
their  hands  crossed  on  their  breasts,  bowing  as  they 
pass. 

23.  The  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host  then  makes 
^  the  following 

PROCLAMATION. 

In  the  name  of  the  Most  Excellent  Grand 
Chapter  of  the  State  of  California,  I  here- 
by proclaim Chapter,  N0.4 'J^to 

be  legally  constituted  and  dedicated,  and 
the  officers  thereof  duly  installed,  with  the 


136  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 

Grand  Honors  of  Masonry,  by  three  times 
three. 

24.  The  public  Grand  Honors  are  then  given. 

25.  An  Ode  may  be  sung. 

26.  Benediction  by  the  Grand  Chaplain  :  after 
which,  the  procession  returns  to  the  Chapter  room, 
the  Grand  Officers  retire,  and  the  Chapter  is  closed 
by  its  own  officers. 

NOTE. — The  proclamation  for  the  annual  installation  differs 
from  the  above  in  this  —  by  substituting  after  the  word  "pro- 
claim," the  following  :    "the  officers  of Chapter, 

No.  .  .  .  ,  to  be   duly  installed   for  the  ensuing  Masonic  year, 
with  the  Grand  Honors,"  &c. 


MASONIC   DOCUMENTS. 


Porm  of  a  Petition  for  a  Dispensation  to  Open  and  Hold 
a  New  Chapter. 

To  the  Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  the  State  of  California : 

[Date.] 

We,  the  undersigned,  being  Royal  Arch  Masons  in  good 
standing,  and  having  the  prosperity  of  the  Royal  Craft  at  heart, 
are  anxious  to  exert  our  best  endeavors  to  promote  and  diffuse 
the  genuine  principles  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry,  and  for  the  con- 
venience of  our  respective  dwellings,  and  other  good  reasons,  us 
thereunto  moving,  we  are  desirous  of  forming  a  new  Chapter  at 
,  in  the of ,  to  be  named Chapter. 

We,  therefore,  pray  for  a  Dispensation  empowering  us  to 
open  and  hold  a  regular  Chapter  at aforesaid,  and  there- 
in to  discharge  the  duties  and  enjoy  the  privileges  of  Royal  Arch 
Masonry,  according  to  the  landmarks  and  usages  of  the  order, 
and  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

And  we  do  hereby  nominate  and  recommend  Companion 
A B to  be  our  first  Most  Excellent  High  Priest ;  Com- 
panion C . . . .  D . . . .  to  be  our  first  King,  and  Companion  E . . . 
F. . . .  to  be  our  first  Scribe. 

And  should  the  prayer  of  this  petition  be  granted,  we  do 
hereby  promise  a  strict  conformity  to  the  Constitution,  laws,  and 
edicts  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  of  California,  and  to  the 


138  HAND-BOOK    OF    THE    CHAPTER. 


Constitution  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of  the  United  States, 
so  far  as  they  may  come  to  our  knowledge. 

[This  Dispensation  must  be  signed  by  not 
less  than  nine  Royal  Arch  Masons. 

It  may  be  presented  to  either  the  Grand  or  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  and  must  be  accompanied  by  di- 
mits  from  the  several  Chapters  of  which  the  petition- 
ers were  last  members  ;  the  certificate  of  the  Grand 
Lecturer  that  the  Companion  recommended  for  M.\ 
E.\  High  Priest  is  qualified  to  confer  the  degrees  in 
accordance  with  the  work  and  lectures  adopted  by  the 
Grand  Chapter ;  and  must  also  be  accompanied  with 
the  recommendation  of  the  nearest  Chapter  working 
under  a  warrant  of  Constitution ;  which  recommenda- 
tion should  be  in  the  following  words  :  — 

II. 

Form  of  Kecommendation. 

To  the  Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  California: 

At  a  regular  convocation  of Chapter,    No ,  holden 

at ,  on  the ]day  of ,  A.  L.  587  ,  a.  i.  240  — 

The  petition  of  several  Companions,  praying  for  a  Dispensa- 
tion to  open  a  new  Chapter  at ,  in  the of , 

was  duly  laid  before  the  Chapter,  when  it  was 

Resolved,  That  this  Chapter,  being  fully  satisfied  that  the  peti- 
tioners are  Royal  Arch  Masons,  in  good  standing,  and  being 
prepared  to  vouch  for  their  moral  character  and  Masonic  abili- 
ties, does,  therefore,  recommend  that  the  Dispensation  prayed 
for  be  granted  to  them. 

A  true  copy  of  the  records. 

,  Secretary. 


DATE  OF  ROYAL  ARCH  DOCUMENTS. 


Each  of  the  systems  of  Masonry  has  a  date  peculiar  to  itself, 
and  which,  as  referring  to  some  important  event  in  its  history,  is 
affixed  to  its  official  documents.  Thus  the  epoch  of  the  creation 
of  light  in  the  beginning  of  the  world,  according  to  the  Mosaic 
cosmogony,  has  been  assumed,  for  a  symbolical  reason,  as  the 
era  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  and  hence  all  documents  con- 
nected with  the  first  three  degrees  are  dated  from  this  period, 
which  date  is  found  by  adding  4000  to  the  vulgar  era,  and  is 
called  the  year  of  light,  or  Anno  Lua's,  usually  abbreviated  A.  \ 
L.  \ — thus  the  present  year,  1878,  in  a  Masonic  document  of  the 
symbolic  degrees,  would  be  designated  A.  \  l.  \  5878. 

Royal  Arch  Masons  use  this  date  also,  but  in  addition  to  it 
they  commence  their  peculiar  era  with  the  year  in  which  the 
building  of  the  second  temple  was  begun,  at  which  time  their 
traditions  inform  them  that  a  discovery  important  to  the  craft 
was  made.  They  call  their  era  the  year  of  the  discovery,  or 
Anno  Inventionis,  sometimes  abbreviated  A.  \  1.  \  or  A. '.  Inv. '. 
The  second  temple  was  commenced  530  years  before  Christ,  and 
hence  the  Royal  Arch  date  is  found  by  adding  that  number  of 
years  to  the  Christian  era.  Thus  the  present  year,  1878,  in  a 
Royal  Arch  document,  would  be  designated  Anno  Inventionis 
2408,  and  combining  the  two  Masonic  eras,  such  a  document 
would  be  properly^  designated  thus:  "Anno  Lucis  5878,  and 
Anno  Inventionis  2408,"  or,  "  in  the  Year  of  Light  5878,  and  of 
the  Discovery,  2408." 

The  above  is  from  Mackey's  Book  of  the  Chapter, 
and  answers  the  purpose  well,  provided  one  can  at  all 


140  HAND-BOOK   OF   THE    CHAPTER. 

times  remember  the  number  of  years  before  Christ 
that  the  second  temple  was  commenced.  But  a  better 
plan,  and  one  which  particularly  commends  itself  to 
the  Royal  Arch  Mason,  is  to  keep  in  mind  certain 
facts  developed  in  the  degree,  and  apply  those  facts  in 
determining  the  year  required,  viz  :  Very  important 
deposits  were  made  in  the  year  of  the  world,  3000 ; 
they  remained  hidden  for  the  period  of  470  years. 
This  gives  a  total  of  3470  years,  which  subtracted  from 
the  current  year  of  light,  5878,  (taking  the  present  for 
illustration),  gives  2408 — the  year  of  discovery. 

1878  +  4000  =  5878 

3000  +  470  =  3470 
A.  L.  5878 -3470  =  A.  I.  2408. 


